t {
University of California • Berkeley
In Memory of
IEONOKE RAWSON STOCK
AMERICAN STATE PAPERS,
A COLLECTION
Of Original and Authentic Documents **.*-• /I
RELATIVE TO THE WAR
BETWEEN THE
UNITED STATES
AND.
GREAT BRITAIN.
Publillied by Special Permiffion.
VOLUME THE SECOND.
*795
OFFICIAL LETTERS
TO THE HONORABLE
AMERICAN CONGRESS,
Written, during the War between the
UNITED COLONIES AND GREAT BRITAIN,
BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE
CONTINENTAL FORCES,
NOW
PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES.
Copied, by Special PermifTion, from the Original Papers preferved
in the Office of the Secretary of State, Philadelphia.
VOL. II.
LONDON;
PRINTED FOR CADELL JUNIOR AND DAVIES, G. G. AND J. RO
BINSON, B. AND J. WHITE, W. OTRIDGfi AND SON, J. Dfc
.BRETT, R. FAULDER, AND T. EGERTON.
/
J795-
OFFICIAL LETTERS
FROM
GENERAL WASHINGTON
TO CONGRESS.
SIR, Trenton, January i, 1777.
JL OUR refolves of the twenty-feventh ultimo were tranf-
mitted me laft night by meflieurs Clymer, Morris, and Wal
ton. The confidence which Congrefs have honored me with
by thefe proceedings has a claim to my warmeft acknowledg
ments. At the fame time I beg leave to allure them that all
ray faculties fhall be employed to direct properly the powers
they have been pleafed to vefl me with, and to advance thofe ob
jects, and only thofe, which gave rife to this honorable mark of
diftin6Hon. If my exertions fhould not be attended with the
defired fuccefs, I truft the failure will be imputed to the true
caufe, — the peculiarly diftrefTed fituation of our affairs, and
the difficulties I have to combat, — rather than to a want of
zeal for my country, and the clofeft attention to her interefts,
to promote which has ever been my ftudy.
On monday morning I paffed the Delaware myfelf ; the
of our troops and artillery, not till yefterday, owing to
VOL. II. B the
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the ice which rendered their paffage extremely difficult and
fatiguing. Since their arrival, we have been parading the
regiments wliofc time of iervic-c is now- expired, in order -to
know what 'force we fnould have to depend on, and how to
regulate our views accordingly. After much perfuafion and
the exertions of their officers, half or a greater proportion
of thofe from the eafhvard have confented to ftay fix weeks
on a bounty of ten dollars. I feel the inconvenience of this
advance, and I know- the conferences which will refult
from it:— but what could be" done ?— Pennfylvania had al
lowed the fame to her militia : — the troops felt their import
ance, and would have their price. Indeed, as their aid is fo
eflential, and not to he difpcnfed with, it is to be wondered
they had not cftimat-j-d it at a higher rate. I perceive that
Congrefs, appreheniive of this event, had made unlimited
pro v if Ion for it.
General MifSin is at Bordentown with about eighteen
hundred men, and general Cadwallader at Crofwix's, with
about the fame number. — We are now making our arrange
ments, and concerting a plan of operations, which I (hall at
tempt to execute as foon as poflibie, and which I hope will b$
attended with fome fuccefs.
As to the number and fituation of the enemy, I cannot obtain
certain intelligence : but, from the accounts molt to be relied
on, they have collected the principal part of their force, from
Brunfwic and the neighboring pofts, at Princeton, where
they are throwing up fome works. The number there is
reported to be from five to fix thoufand ; and it is confi
dently faid they have lent the chief part of their baggage to-
.Brunfwic. It is added that general Howe landed at Atnboy
a day or two ago with a thoufand light troops, and is on hi*
march from thence.
1 have fent into different parts of Jerfeyt men of influence
to f pi rh up the militia, and flatter my felt that the many inju
ries they have received will induce fome to give their aid. If
what 'they ha\e fullered does not roufe their rcfentment, they
rnuft-
OFFICIAL LETTERS, • -3
mufl not poflefs the common feelings of humanity. To op-
prcflion, ravage, and a deprivation of property, they have had
the more mortifying circurnftance of infult added : — after be
ing dripped of all they had without the leaft compenfation,
protections have been granted them for the free enjoyment of
their efFecls. — -I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P* S. I have not been able to procure returns of our force,
owing to our iituation. I fuppofe that about two or three
and twenty hundred patted with me, which number is now-
reduced to fifteen or iixteen hundred. No eftimate of our force
can be formed from the number of regiments : many of them,
by reafon of ficknefs, cannot turn out more than a hundred men*
SIR, Pluckcmin, January 5^ 1777*
I have the honor to inform you, that, fince the date of
my laft from Trenton, I have removed with the army under
my command to this place. The difficulty of croffing the De
laware on account of the ice made our paffage over it tedious,
and gave the enemy an opportunity of drawing in their feveral
cantonments, and afTembiing their whole force at Princeton.
Their large picquets, advanced towards Trenton* — their great
preparations, and fome intelligence I had received,-— added to
their knowledge that the nrftof January brought on a diiTolu-
tion of the beft part of our army,— -gave me the ftrongefl rea-
fons to conclude that an attack upon us was meditating.
Our fituation was rnofi: critical, and our force Imall. To
remove immediately was again destroying every dawn of
hope which had begun to revive in the breads of the Jerfey
militia > and to bring thofe troops which had firft croflcd the
Delaware and were lying at Crofwix's under general Cad-
wallader> and thofe under general Mifflin at Bordentowii
(amounting in the whole to about three thoufand fix hun
dred), to Trenton, was to bring them to an expofed place.
One or the other however was unavoidable; — the latter was
preferred, and they were ordered to join us at Trenton,
which they did, by a night-march, on the firft inftant.
B 2 On
4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
On- the fecond, accouling to my expedation, the enemy
began to advance upon us ; and, after fome fkirmifhing, the
head of their column reached Trenton about four o'clock,
whilft their rear was as far back as Maidenhead. They at
tempted- to pafs Sanpink creek which runs through Trenton,
at different places ; but, finding the fords- guarded, halted and
kindled their fires.— We were drawn up on the other fide of
the creek.— In this fituation we remained till dark,, cannonad
ing the enemy, and receiving the fire of their field-pieces
which did us but Little damage.
Having. by this time discovered that the enemy were great
ly fuperioF in number, and that their defign was to fuFround
us, I ordered all our baggage to be removed filently to Bur--
lington foon after dark ; and at twelve o'clock, after renew
ing our fires, and leaving guards at the bridge in Trenton,
and other pafTes on the fame ftream above, marched by a
round-about road to Princeton where I knew they c©uld not
have much force left, and might have ftores. One thing I
was certain ofy — that it would avoid the appearance of a re
treat (which was of courfe, — or to run the hazard of the
whole army being cut off) — whilft we might by a fortunate
ftroke withdraw general Howe from Trenton, and give fome
reputation to our arms.— Happily we fucceeded. — We found
Princeton abo.ut fun-rife with only three regiments and three
troops of light-horfe in it, two of which, were on their march,
to Trenton. Thefe three regiments, efpecialLy the two firft,
made a gallant refi.it.ance, and, in killed, wounded, and pri-
ioners, muft have lofl five hundred men. : upwards of one
hundred of them were left dead in the field ; and, with what
I have with me and what were taken in the purfuit and car
ried acrofs the Delaware, there are near three hundred pri-
foners, fourteen of whom are officers, all Britiih.
This piece of good fortune is counterbalanced by the lofs
of the brave and worthy general Mercer, colonels Hazlet and
Potter,, captain Neal of the artillery,, captain Fleming who
commanded, the firfl Virginia regiment, and four or five other
. valuable officers, who, with about twenty-five or thirty pri
vate*
OFFICIAL LETTERS, £
vales, were flain in the field. Our whole lofs cannot be af-
certained, as many who were in purfuit of the enemy (who
were chafed three or four miles) are not yet come in.
The rear of the enemy's army lying at Maidenhead (not
more than five or fix miles from Princeton) was up with us
before our purfuit was over : but as I had the precaution to
deftroy the bridge over Stoney-brook (about half a mile from
the field of aclion), they were fo long retarded there as to
give us time to move off in good order for this place. We
took two brafs field-pieces ; but, for want of horfes, could
not bring them away. We alfo took fome blankets, fhoes,
and a few other trifling articles, burned the hay, and deftroy-
e<3 fuch other things as the fhortnefs of the time would ad
mit of.
My original plan, when I kt oui Horn Trenton, was, to
have puflied on to Brunfwic: but the harraflfed ftate of our
troops (many of them having had no reft for two nights and
a day), and the danger of loiing the advantage we had gained
by aiming at too much, induced me, by the advice of my offi
cers, to relinquifh the attempt : but, in my judgment, fix or
eight hundred frefli troops upon a forced march would have
jdeftroyed all their ftores and magazines, — taken (as we have
£nce learned) their military cheft, containing feventy thoufand
pounds, — and put an end to the war. The enemy, from the
beft intelligence I have been able to get, were fo much alarm
ed at the apprehenfion of this, that they marched immediately
to Brunfwic without halting, except at the bridges (for I alfo
took up thofe on Millftone, on the different routes to Brunf
wic), and got there before day.
From the beft information I have received, general Howe
has left no men either at Trenton or Princeton. The truth
.of this I am endeavoring to afcertajn, that I may regulate
my movements accordingly.
The militia are taking fpirits, and, I am told, are coming
Jn faft from this ftate: but I fear thofe from Piuladelphja
will fcarcely fubmit to the hardships of a winter campaign
much longer, efpecially as they very unluckily fcnt their
B 3 blankets
6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
blankets with their baggage to Burlington. I muft do them
the jufcice however to add that they have undergone more
fatigue andhardfliip, than I expefted militia (especially citi
zens) would have done at this inclement ieafon.— I am juft
moving to Morriftown, where I (hall endeavor to put them
\mder the beft cover I can : — hitherto we have been without
any ; and many of our poor foldiers quite barefoot, and ill
clad in other fefpects.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, MorriJ?ownt January 7, 1777.
I AM happv to inform you that the account of general
Mercer's death, tranfmitted in mylaft, was premature, though
it was mentioned as certain by many who faw him after he
was wounded. By intelligence from Princeton yefterday
evening, he was alive, and feemed as if he would do well : —
unhappily he is a prifoner. Had it not been for the inform
ation I had of his death, I would have tried to have brought
him away, though I believe it could not have been efFe&ed.
The enemy have totally evacuated Trent and Prince
towns, and are now at Brunfwic and the fevcral polls on
the communication between that and Hudfon's river, but
chiefly at Brunfwic. Their numbers and movements are va-
rioufly reported : butall agree that their force is great, There
have been two or three little fkirmifhes between their par
ties and fome detachments of militia, in which the hitter have
been fuccefsful, and made a few prifoners. The moft con-
fiderable was on funday morning near Springfield, when
'eight or ten Waldeckers were killed and wounded, and the
remainder of the party (thirty-nine or forty) made prifoners,
with two officers, by a force not fuperior in number, and
without receiving the leaft damage,
The feverity of the feafon has made our troops, efpecial-y
the militia, extremely impatient, and has reduced the num
ber very confiderably. Every day more or lefs leave us.
Their complaints, and the great fatigues they had undergone,
induced
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 7
induced me to come to this pla^e, as the beft calculated of
any in this quarter to accommodate and refreili them. The
fituation is by no means favorable to our views ; and, as
foon as the purpofes are anfwerecl for which we came, f
fhink to remove, though I confefs I do not know how we
ihali procure covering for our men elfewherc.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters i Morrljioivn, Jan. 9, 1777.
I AM honored with yours of the firft inftant, in-
clofiRg fundry refolves relating to this and the northern army.
Thofe that rcfpect my department ' fhall be properly at
tended to.
lam obliged by your notice of colonel Baylor, on whom
I /hall confer the command of horfe to which you recom
mend him. — When the uniform for the regiment is fixed
upon, a horfe properly caparifoned ihall be provided ana
preferred to colonel Baylor. — There were no horfes of any
figure or value taken at Trenton.
Since i wrote to you laft, the enemy have withdrawn all
their out-garrifons, and centred their whole force at and near
jBriirifwic ; but whether .with an intention to make a ft and
there or make another pufh towards Philadelphia, I cannot
yet determine.— Upon the evacuation of Elizabelhtown,
general Maxwell fell upon the enemy's rear, and made feven-
ty prifoners and took a parcel of baggage.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Httld-QuaWers, Morriftoivn, Jan. 12, 1777.
I AM honored with yours of the fixth, inclofing fe-
veral refolves of Congrefs refpeiSting an exchange to be
propofed between general Lee and the Heffian field-officers
taken at Trenton. Colonel Ralle died the day after the ac-
ion ; and we left one of the majors fo ill of his wounds, that
B 4 I am
8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I am in doubt of his recovery. I can however make an of
fer of all that remain, in exchange for general Lee, except
one whom you order to be propofed for colonel Allen* If
the offer is rejected by general Howe, I fliall think myfelf
then at liberty to renionflrate to him on his treatment of ge
neral Lee. If he will not exchange him, he ihould at leaffc
admit him to his parole, as we have ever done their prifon-
ei s who have fallen into our hands.
I underftand from undoubted authority that they intend to
try the general by a court-martial, as a deferter from their
fervice, pretending that his refignation was never accepte4
of. But I fhall inform general Howe, that, if any fuch ftep
is taken under fo (hallow and illegal a pretext, and their
fentence fhould extend either to affect his life or liberty, they
may depend upon the mofr, fevere and adequate retaliation up
on our part.
The enemy have made no move fince my laft. By every
account, they begin to be diitrefled, particularly for forage,
of which there is little or none remaining in the fmall circle
they poffefs, except fait hay.
By letters from general Heath, of the ninth, he was begin
ning to move down towards Kingfbriclge with the troops
from New-England. This muft add to the diftrefs of the
enemy, who will, by this meafure, be deprived of the fub-
fifteuce they formerly drew from WefUChefter and the
counties to ^he northward of York-ifland.
I have the honor to be, &c. Q. W.
Head-Quarters, Morrlft<own, Jan. 14, 1777.
1 Embrace this opportunity, by Mr. Hopkins, of in
forming you that the enemy remain upon their old ground' at
Amboy and Brunfwic. Our accounts ftiil confirm their want
of forage, which I hope will increafe. — If their horfes are
reduced this winter, it will be impoflibie for them to take
fhe field in the fpring,
General
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 9
General Warner, with two regiments from MavTachu-
fetts, is arrived here : general Heath, with the remainder of
the troops from that {late, has by this time hegun to move
down towards Kingfbridge.
1 this day intend to fend in a flag with letters to lord and
general Howe upon the fubjedl of general Lee's exchange,
and remonftrating againft the fevere treatment of our prifon-
ers. I incloie you copies of both, for your infpedion and
approbation. — I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W.
SlR? Head-Quarters, Morrijlovjn> Jan. 17, 1777.
I HAVE not had the honor of any of your favors
fmce I wrote to you on the fourteenth inftant. — No material
alterations have happened in this quarter. The enemy, from
every account, mean to make Brunfwic their advanced
poft for this winter. They are endeavoring to draw in
all the forage they can get ; in the courfe of which, they
have daily ikirmiihes with our advanced parties : but I
think, do what they will, they muft be diftrefled greatly be
fore the winter is over.
By a late refoive of Congrefs, the towns of Carlisle in
Pennfylvania, and Brookfield in MafTachuietts, are fixed upon
for the proper places to erecl: laboratories, and lay up ma
gazines of military ftores. Upon communicating this refoive
to general Knox who will have the principal direction of
thefe matters, he was of opinion that Hartford in Connecticut
would be on many accoums more convenient for that pur-
pofe than Brookridd, particularly in refpecl to buildings,
which are already eredled, and, though not fuch as are im
mediately fit for the ufes they are intended, may be eafily
converted to them. — General Knox, and ethers whom I have
confulted upon the occafion, alfo think that York town will
be full as fafe, and more convenient than Carliile. — If thefe
two alterations fiiould, upon a reconficleration, appear to
you in the fame light, and up fleps (liould haye been taken
towards
I0 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
towards carrying matters into execution, I fhould be glad
that you would, by a new rcfolve, permit me to direct the
works to be carried on at the places laft mentioned.
Since I began this letter, your favor of the tenth was deli
vered to me, inclofmg fundry refolves of Congvefs to which
I {hall pay due attention, and (hall inform * * * and * * *
of their difmirTion from the few ice of the ftates.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarters, Mowjlown, Jan. 19, 1777.
THE flu&uating ftatc of an army cornpofed chiefly
of militia bids fair to reduce us "to the fituation in which we
were fome little time ago, — that is, of fcarce having any army
at all, — except reinforcements fpeedily arrive. One of the
batallions from the city of Philadelphia goes home to-day, and
the other two only remain a few days longer upon courtcfy.
The time for which a country brigade under general Mif-
jflin came out is expired, and they (lay from day to day by
dint of folicitation, — their numbers much reduced by defer-
tions. — We have about eight hundred of the eaftern continen
tal troops remaining of twelve or fourteen hundred who at
£rft agreed to ftay, — part engaged to the laft of this month,
and part to the middle of next. The five Virginia regiments
are reduced to a handful of men, as are colonel Hand's,
Smallwood's, and the German batallion. — A few days ago
general Warner arrived with about feven hundred Maflachu*
fetts militia engaged to the fifteenth of March.
Thus you have a (ketch of our prefent army, with which
\ve arc obliged to keep up appearances before an enemy al
ready double to us in numbers, and who from every account
are withdrawing their troops from Rhode-Iilaild, to form a
junction of their whole army, and make another attempt ei
ther to break up ours, or penetrate towards Philadelphia,—
.a thing by no means difficult now, as the ice affords an
£afy palTage over the Delaware.
I do
OFFICIAL LETTERS. it
•I do not yet know what effect general Heath's moving
down towards New -York will have. —Yeilerday morning
a conliderable firing was heard, which feemed to be about
KingfDridge. I am in hopes that his appeaYance on that
quarter with a pretty large force will oblige them to withdraw
part of theirs from Jerfey, to fecure the city of New-York,
which," by late accounts, is weakly garrifonecl. — General
Heath has all the eaftern and York militia with him, except
the fmall brigade under general Warner that I mentioned be-r
fore, one regiment of Connecticut, Hopped at Providence in
Rhode-Ifland, and a number (how many I do not know) re-
queried by general Schuyler to be fent to Ticonderoga.— If it
fhould appear that they are regardlefs of the diverfion made;
by general Heath, and perfift: in their plan of drawing their
whole army together in Jerfey, I mud order him over with
all his troops, except as many as are necefTdiy to garrifon
the forts and guard the paiTes in the Highlands.
I have ordered away every officer that could be fpared,—
fome to recruit, and fome to collect the fcattered men of the
different regiments, who are difperfed almoft over the conti
nent : for, of the vaft numbers fent to the hofpitals at dif
ferent times, few ever returned after they got well.
As militia muft be our dependence till we can get the new.
army raifed and properly arranged, I muft entreat you to
continue your endeavors with the ftates of Pennfylvania,
Maryland, and Virginia, to turn out every man they pofiibly
can, and for fome longer time than they generally have Hi-*
pulated for. If they agree for a month or any limited time,
it ihould commence from the time they actually join the ar
my, and not from the time they leave their homes : other-
wile the marching backwards and forwards confumes the
term of engagement.
I think thefe demands of aid fhould be made as quietly as
the nature of the cafe will admit of, efpecially at this time
when we are deceiving our enemies with falfe opinions of
pur numbers ; for, to boaft of our iupuiority iii that reipect
ou
12 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
on one hand, and to call publicly on the people for
on the other, is an impropriety too glaring : — indeed it has
been already noticed in fome publications that I have feen
from New- York.
I have the honor ro be, &c, G, W,
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrijlown, Jan. 2O,
I AM favored with yours of the fifteenth inilant,
with the fundry refolves inclofed in it. If that refpeding
the continental currency is carried ftriclly into execution, it
cannot fail of fully re-eft ablifhing its credit.
I have no objection to the three gentlemen who are recom
mended for field -officers in the New-Hamplhire regiment :
they feem fully entitled to it, as tliey have railed the regi*
ment. I will furnifh them with commiflions from the date
of their appointment, when applied to for that purpofe.
There is foinething particular in the application of colonel
Dubois and his officers for the fum of five hundred and thir
teen dollars and two-thirds. They were to have been commif-r
fioned provided they could raife the men ; but, from their own
pay-abftra&, it appears that fourteen officers only brought
twenty-five men into the field. As they certainly did not
comply with their agreement, 1 would, after Mating the mat^
tcr as it really was, fubmit it to Cpngrefs who have the dif-
pcfal of the public money.
I have penifed the petition of montieur Farjeuil and other
French gentlemen. If they could raife fuch a regiment as
they propofe, it would certainly be ufeful : but I have no con
ception that there are Canadians enough to be found even for
a regiment of the common number, muchlefs of two thoufand
hree hundred and forty-feven, which is the number pro-
tpofed. I know, neither colonel Livingfton nor colonel Ha-
zen could ever complete their Canadian regiments when they
had the country open to them. As I would give encourage
ment to foreigners of real merit, I would put the thing upon
this
OFFICIAL LETTERS. i$
this footing : — if monfieur Faneuii can procure a fafficient
number of officers to £11 a regiment of the common fize,
and they can give any affurances of being able to mife the
men, I would grant them com minions.
I would beg leave to remark here, that, except we can
throw the many foreigners who have commiflions in our
army into a corps together, they will be entirely ufelefe, as
they can neither converfe with officers nor men in any other
kind of regiment.
I am fo well afTured that you would not recommend doctor
Potts to fucceed doctor Stringer in the northern department
except you had fufficient proof of his abilities in the medical
line, that I readily concur with you in the appointment.
I have received a piece of information which 1 am afraid
is true, — and that is, that the Britiih cruifers have taken a
French veflel with a large parcel of cannon and mortars on
board. I know fuch a one was expected, and therefore
more readily credit the account.
I am, fir, with refpe& and efteem, 6cc. G. W*
SlR, Head-Quarters, Aforri/fazvu, Jan. 22, 1777.
MY laft to you was on the twentieth inftant.
Since that, I have the pleafure to inform you that general
Dickinfon, with about four hundred militia, has defeated a
foraging party of the enemy of an equal number, and has
taken forty waggons, and upwards of a hundred horfes, mod
of them of the Englifh draft breed, and a number of /heep
and cattle which they had collected. The enemy retreated
with fo much precipitation that general Dickinfon had only
an opportunity of making nine prifoners. They were ob-
ferved to carry off a good many dead and wounded in light
waggons. —This action happened near Somerfet court-houfe
on "^iiiilone river. General Dickinfon's behavior refle&s
the higheft honor upon him : for, though his troops were all
raw, he led them through the river middle-deep, and gave
the
14 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the enemy fo fevere a charge, that, although fupported by
three hcid-picccs, they gave way, and left their convoy.
I have not heard from general Heath lince the tiring near
Kingtbridgelaftfaturday; which I cannot account for,unlefs the
North-river ihouid have been rendered impafiable by the ice.
But the account of his having furpriied and taken Fort-inde
pendence on friclay-night lail comes ib well authenticated by
different ways, that I cannot doubt it. It is faid that he took
four hundred prifoneis in that fort, and that he inverted Fort-.
Wafhington on faturday, which occanoned the firing* This
is brought out by three of our officers who made their efcape
from New- York on funday, and is confirmed by a fpy who
went into Aniboy, who fays an exprefs had arrived at Am-
boy from New- York, with an account of the lofs of Fort-
Independence, and calling for a reinforcement to protect the;
city ; in confequence of which, a number of troops had
gone over.— 1 have fent in fpies to Brunfwic and Amboy to
know the truth of this : and if it appears that they have
weakened thernfelves to reinforce New-York, I (hall proba
bly make fome attempt upon them, if we have men enough
left to do ir.
I {hull be glad to know what Hock of (mall-arms you at
prefent have, and what are your expectations ihoftly. The
jneceffity that we have been and are now under, of calling in-
and arming the militia, fcatters our armory all over the
world in a manner : their officers are fo irregular that they
generally fuffer their men to carry home every thing that is
put into their hands, which is forever loft to the public.
The new-raifed regiments will call for a great number of
arms ; and I do not at prefent fee how they are to be f up-
plied.
I would again beg leave to recall the attention of Congrefs
to the appointment of general officers. I will not fuppofe
the nomination of them is poftponed upon a Caving princi
ple, becaufe the advantage in having proper officers to ex-
2
amme
OFFICIAL LETTERS 15
a mine the pay-rolls of their feveral regiments, and compare
them with the returns of their brigades, — to fee that the re
giments are provided with what is proper, and that no more
than a fufEciencv is allowed, — to keep officers to their duty,
and not, while the Spirited officer is encountering all the
fatigues and hurdiliips of a rigorous campaign, fuffer a num
ber ot others, under various frivolous pretences and imaginary
ficknefTcs, to enjoy themfclves at the public expenfe at their
own fireiides: — I fay, if the appointments are with-held upon
parfimonious principles, the Congrefs are miftaken : for I
am convinced, that, by the correction of many abufes which
it is impoffible for me to attend to, the public will be benefit
ed in a great degree in the article of expenfe. — But this is not
all. — We have a very little time to do a very great work in.
The arranging, providing tor, and disciplining a hundred and
odd batallions is not to be accompli (lied in a day ; nor is it
to be done at all with any degree of propriety, when we have
once entered upon the active part of a campaign. Thef&
duties mud be branched out, or they will be neglected, and
the public injured. Betides, \vere the brigadiers appointed,
they might be facilitating the recruiting fervice ; they wrould
have time to get a litde acquainted with their brigades, the
wants of them, and eafe me of the great weight and burden
which I at prefent feel.
On whom the choice will or ought to light, I cannot un
dertake to fay. In a former letter I took the liberty of fubmit-
ting to the confitjeration of Congrefs the propriety of ap
pointing, out of each date, brigadiers to command the troops
of that ftate, — thinking, as a diftinftion is now fixed, a fpirit
of emulation might ariie by this means. At any rate I ihall
take the liberty of recommending general Cadwallader as-
one of the firft for the new appointments* I have found him
a man of ability, a good difciplinarian, firm in- his principles,
and of intrepid bravery. I ihall alfo beg leave to recom
mend colonel' Reed to the command of the horfe, as a perfon,
in my opinion, every way qualified ; for he is extremely ac
tive
16 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tive and enterprifmg ; many fignal proofs of which he has
given this campaign. For the reft, the members of Congrefs
can judge better than I can : I can only fay, that, as the army
will probably be divided in the courfe of the next campaign,
there ought, in my opinion, to be three lieutenant-generals,
nine major-generals, and twenty-feven brigadiers : — in other
words, there ought, at lead, to be a brigadier to every four
regiments, and a major-general to every three brigades. — *
The lieutenant-generals will, I prefume, be appointed out of
the oldeft major-generals, and the major-generals from the
oldeft brigadiers. Nine brigadiers will then be to no
minate.
I forgot before this to inform Congrefs, that, including the
regiment of light dragoons from Virginia, and colonel Shel
don's to be raifed in Connecticut, I have only commiffioned
officers for four regiments. I was willing to try how thefe
could be equipped before I put more officers into commifiion.
It is apprehended we (hall find difficulty in providing ne-
cefTaries or even horfes for thefe four regiments : if we
fhould not, I mall immediately fet about the refidue. Colo
nel Baylor, colonel Moylan (who, as volunteer, has remain
ed conftantly with the army iince his difcontinuance in the
quarter-mailer's department), and colonel Sheldon, com
mand the three new regiments of light dragoons.
The treafury has been for fome time empty, and the army
has labored under the greateft inconvenience for want of mo
ney. The recruiting fervice is particularly injured by this, as
many officers are now waiting only for bounty -money. I have
alfo complaints from the eaftward, of the want of money to
carry on their recruiting fervice. —If we are not fupplied with
that neceflary article, all matters mud be at a (land. I muft
therefore beg, that, if Mr. Palfrey has not been already fup
plied with a large fum, it may be done with the utmoft ex
pedition, and that you will endeavor to keep up the fupply
by conftantly fending on fmaller parcels.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
7
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 17
P, S. I did not recoiled! major-general Lincoln in the pro
vincial fcrvice of MafTachufetts. He is an excellent officer,
and worthy of your notice in the continental line.
SIR, 'Head-Quarters, Morrijlo-ivn, Jan. 26, 1777.
I WAS lall night honored with yours of the eighteenth
inftant, inclofing a letter from the ftate of New-York to
Congrefs. From the particular fituation of their ftate in re
gard to their being totally deprived of commerce, they cer
tainly muft ftand in need of the afTiftance of the other flates
to provide them with clothing and every thing necefTary for
the equipment of their forces ; and it ever was my intention
to allow them a full proportion of the clothing purchafed to
the eaflward, whenever it came to hand. Little or none of
it has yet reached this army, though in the greateft want,
and expofed to the feverities of a winter campaign.
The convention have in one inflance already provided for
themfelves out of the public {lock, by flopping and making
\ife of twenty-fix bales of clothing coming on from the eafi>
ward to the army here* As this was done without confult-
ing me, I took the liberty of defiring them not to do the like
in future \ —not that I meant to deprive them of their fhare,
but becaufe it difappointed me of many articles which I ilood
in immediate want of, and had not provided from other quar
ters. But you may be affured, that, whenever returns arc
made of the whole flock of clothing, they (hall have their
proportion, and more than that,— railowarice for their pecu
liar fituation.
I am amazed to hear complaints of the hofpital on the eaft
fide of HudfonVi iver. Doctor Morgan, with moil of his
mates, has been conflantly there fmce I left it with the
main body of the army. It is in vain however to look back
upon pafl misfortunes, I will not pretend to point out the
caufes; but I know matters have been ftrangely conducted in
the medical line. I hope your new appointment, when it is
made, will make the ncceffary reform in the hctfpital, and
VOL. II. C that
iS GENERAL WASHINGTON'S-
that I (hall not, the next campaign, have my ears, and eyes
too, {hocked with the complaints and looks of poor creatures
perilling for want of proper care either in the reo imental or
hofpital furgeons.
I a£rce with the convention in the expediency of obftru6b-
ing the pafTage of the North-river in fome place between the
mouth and the Highlands. We have found that our labor and
cxpenfe has boen thrown away in endeavoring to. do it below,
where the channel is amazingly wide and deep ; but, from the
flight view I have had of the river above, I think the paflage
maybe eafily obftrucled, arid defended by proper fortifica^
dons, as the river is fo narrow that no veiTcl going up could
pollibly efcape the fire. I am no judge of what can be done
towards fitting out the frigates at Poughkeepfie : — that muft
be left to the gentlemen of the marine committee.
The hint given by the convention of New-York, of the
neceflity and utility of a commiiTary of forage, had ilruck me
befoie, and had been mentioned by general Mifflin, whofe de
partment of quarter-mailer-general muft be eafed of part of
the load which is at prefent thrown upon it. He is obliged in
many inilances to a 61 entirely out of his proper line ; and,
inftead of being confined to the duty of quarter-marler-gene-
nil, is alfo waggon-mailer, and forage-mailer-geaeral. — I
have wrote to two perfons that I think qualified to filr the
office of waggon-mailer ; and I hope one of them will ac
cept. — That of commiiTary of forage (hall be attended to.
The want of accurate maps of the country which has hi
therto been the fcene of \var has been of great difaclvantage
to me. I have in vain endeavored to procure them, and
have been obliged to make ihift with fuch (ketches as I could
tnice out from my own obfervation and that of gentlemen
around me. I really think, if gentlemen of known charac
ter, and probity could be employed in making maps (ftom
actual iurvey) of the roads, — the rivers, and bridges and fords
over ihun,— the mountains, and pafTcs through them,— it
would be 'of the greatdl advantage.
I lad, previous to titc receipt ot your letter, wrote to general
Howe,
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
Howe, and propofec! the fixing an agent for prifoners at
New- York. I havb not received an anfwer : but if he ac
cedes to the propofal, I fliall appoint Mr. Lewis Pintard.
I am forry that I am obliged to contradict the report of
the taking of Fort-Independence as mentioned in my lafl. I
believe the evacuation of fome detached redoubts gave rife
to the report. — I have not heard from general Heath fince
the fourteenth inftant, which I am amazed at. I am quite
in the dark as to his numbers, and what progrefs he has
made.
On the twenty-third, a party of four hundred of our
men, under colonel * * *, fell in with two regiments of the
enemy, convoying a number of waggons from Brunfwic to
Amboy. Our advanced party under colonel Parker engaged
them with great bravery upwards of twenty minutes, during
which time the colonel-commandant was killed, and the f£-
cond in command mortally wounded. The people living
near the field of adion fay their killed and wounded were
confiderable. We loft only two men, who were made pri
foners. Had colonel * * * come up with the main body,
colonel Parker and the other officers think we fhould have
put them to the rout, as their confufion was very great,
and their ground difadvantageous* I have ordered * * *
under arreft, and fliall bring him to trial to anfwer for fo ex
traordinary a piece of conduct.
Reinforcements come up fo extremely flow, that I ant
afraid I fhall be left without any men before they arrive. The
enemy mud be ignorant of our numbers, or they have not
horfes to move their artillery, or they would not fuffer us to
remain undifturbed. I have repeatedly wrote to all the re
cruiting officers, to forward on their men as fail as they could
arm and clothe them : but they are fo extremely avetfe to
turning out of comfortable quarters, that I cannot get a man
to come near me, though I hear from all parts that the re
cruiting fervice goes on with great fuccefs. It would be well
if the .board of war, in whole department it is, would iifue
C 2 orders
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
orders for all officers to equip and forward their recruits to
head-quarters with the greateft expedition.
By a refolve of Congrefs pafled fome time ago, general
Schuyler is directed to appry to me for ninety-four tons of
powder, — a quantity which it is impoffihle I ihoukl have by
me, and for which I do not know where to dired: him to ap
ply. I could wifh that returns were made to me of the
quantity of powder on hand, and where it is to be found,
that I may not be at a lofs at any time of emergency.
Since the refignaticn of colonel Reed? the important office
of adjutant-general hag, been left unfilled (I mean as to a
principal), and I am much at a lofs how or where to find a
perfon in every way capable and proper to execute the office.
My inclinations lead me to confer the appointment upon a
major Morris : but ample teilimonials Jhould be produced,
and full proof of fidelity ought to be made, before an office
of fo high truft (hould be conferred upon a perfon in a man
ner a (banger to me. I only know major Morris from a
fliort perfonal acquaintance, and from report : he never even
brought a letter of recommendation to me. From his conver-
fation and from the accounts I have received from others,
he is~ a man of confiderable military abilities ; and, from
his behavior in two inftances, he is a man of bravery and
'conduct. His ftory is limply this,— that he left the Britifh
fervice in difguft upon not receiving a promotion to which
he was juftly entitled. Perhaps fome gentlemen of CongrefV
may know more about him, or may be able to make fuch in
quiries as might fatisfy them as to the fafety and propriety of
appointing him. I have no other motive for wifhing him a
preference than that I think him the propcreft perfon thathaa
come under my notice, provided all matters before mention
ed -were cleared up. -I fhail wait the refult of a determina-
tion of Congrefs- before I proceed further in this appoint*
ment : and I wiui to be favored with their advice as fpeedily
as poffible ; for the remains of the old army is much difar-
ranged tor want of a good adjutant-general, and the forma
tion-
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 21
tion of the new in a great meafure depends upon an able of
ficer in that line. — I have the honor to be, £cc. G. W.
SIR, Head-quarters^ Mornjlown^ Jan. 31, 1777.
I Have none of your favors un-anfwered at prefent,-—
There is fuch a demand upon me from all quarters for money,
which I am unable to anfwer, that I cannot help again
pre fling you to fend on a fupply. The recruiting fervice is al-
moft at a ftop here for want of money ; and governor Trurnbull
writes me word that it is totally fo in Connecticut. He adds
that their loan-officers cannot proceed in their bufinefs for
want of proper check-books and notes ; but that, if they
were furnished with them, they could foon take in a fuffi-r
cieut quantity to anfwer their purpofes.
I fhali be glad to be informed whether I have a right to
draw warrants upon the loan-officers in the different Jftates.
— The ftate of Connecticut advanced colonel Sheldon, at my
requeit, ten thoufand pounds lawful, to raife his regiment of
horle. For their reimburfement they defired me to give them,
a draught upon the loan-office : but, not knowing whether
I had a right to draw upon that fund, I deferred it till I heard
from you.
I muft beg you to write to the aflcmblies of the different
ftates, and infill upon their pafling a law to inflict a fevere
and heavy penalty upon thofe who harbor deferters, know
ing them to be fuch. Our army is (lianiefully reduced by
defertion; and, except the people in the country can be
forced to give information when deferters return to their old
neighborhoods, we fhall be obliged to detach one half of.
the army to bring back the other.
I have a letter from general Heath, of the twenty-fourth
inflant. He was at and near Kingfbridge with his army. I
do not find that he is likely to do more than to draw the at
tention of the enemy that way, and to cut them off from fo
rage, of which they are in great want. — The troops had not
returned
22 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
returned from Rhode-Ifland, by the laft accounts, but were
daily expe&ed. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarters, MorriftQivn, Feb. 5, 1777.
I AM hon6red with yours of the twenty-fourth of
January, with fundry refolves of Congrefs, and a petition of
jnonfieur Pellifier's inclofed. I am not the proper [pcrfori] to re
fer the petition to, as I am no judge of his merit as an engineer,
having never had an opportunity of feeing any of his perform
ances At any rate I do not fee the neceffity of appointing him
or any other perfon principal engineer at Ticonderoga : for
that would exclude any other, though of fuperior abilities,
from being lent there. Befides, as a corps of engineers will
in all probability be foon eftabliilied, monfieur Pellifier's
rank can then be fettled with more propriety.
I forgot to mention in any of my former letters that I had
appointed captain Nathaniel Guefr. of Virginia to the com
mand of a regiment to be raifed upon the frontiers of Virgr-
pia and Carolina ; and I have directed him, if poffible, to
bring a company or two of Cherokee Indians. If they can
be procured, they will aufwertwo valuable purpofes,— one,
as excellent fcouts, — the other that they will be in fa6l hof-
tages, and will fecure the good behavior of their nation.
Major Blandj commandant of the Virginia horfe, has de^
fired to know whether there is not a necefftty of giving a
bounty and re-enlifling his regiment as continental troops.
They were cnlifved to fcrve in the colony ; and the men were
•with fome difficulty prevailed upon to march hither : but the
major thinks they \voi:ld be entirely reconciled upon receiv
ing the bounty.
I received a letter from Mr. Chafe, defiring I would ap
point proper perfcns to niakc inquiry into und take ilepoit-
tions coiiccn:;iig the behavior of the British and foreign
troops- in jcri'ey. This w/^uld he an endless talk, as their
line of march is markcc! with devaftation, and is a tiling, of.
fuch public notoriety that k dc:'u;!ncj^ ;io further proof.
I rcmon
OFFICIAL' LETTERS. 23
I remonftrated with general Howe upon the treatment of
our wounded at Princeton. You will fee by the mcloied
letter from him, that lie difavows and detefts the proceed
ing : but I fear that too much encouragement is given to
fuch barbarous behavior by the Britifl. •.&<:•>:•?; ; for, in a
late fkirmifh in which fir William Erilune corn:!.. aided,
lieutenant Kelly of the fifth Virginia regiment war ilightiy
wounded in the thigh ; but, before he could get oil the held,
he was overtaken and murdered i.. a a ciuei manner.
General Stephen informed me t'K>: .id \vrite to fir
William, and inform him, ihat, nnids fuch practices were
put a Mop to, our ioldiers would not be reft rained from making
retaliation,
By a letter from general Heath, of the thirtieth of hit
month, I find that he h?.d decamped from the neighbor
hood of Kingfbridge, and removed back towards the White-
Plains. His reafons for doing fo were that the troops could
not (land the inclemency of the weather, and that he
feared the troops expected from Rhode-Iiland would land
upon his back. I have however directed him to leave a bo<Kr
of light troops under an active officer, in order to hnrrafs
their foraging parties, and to cover our own who are to re
move as much of the forage from Weft -Chefter county as
they can ; and, after leaving as many men as will fecure the
pafics in the Highlands, the remainder are to be fent over
here to join me ; for I am apprehenfive that the enemy are
reinforcing themfelves at Brunfwic.
I fhall to-morrow fend out parties from every quarter, to
remove all the waggons, horfes, cattle and fheep, or as mr.~
ny as poffible, from the neighborhood of the enemy's lines.
They are to attend particularly to the horfes : for if we can
reduce thofe that they at prefent have, and can hinder tiieni
from getting frefti ones from the adjacent country, it will be
impOiTible for them to move their artillery and waggons for
ward, fhould they incline to make another pufh towards
Philadelphia,
C 4 I obfcrve
o4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I obferve by your laft refolves that the militia of Baltimore,
Harfoid, and Cecil counties in Maryland, are ordered out
and to inarch this way. Let me entreat you to fuffer none
to go forward to Philadelphia but what are equipped with
arms, accoutrements and blankets: they hurt the fervice
much by taking thofe things only for a fhort time from the
continental troops, many of whom would otherwife be ena-»
bled to take the field.
The fecretary of the board of war has tranfmitted me ex
tra £ts of general Schuy lev's letters in which he calls pref-
fingly for fome general officers to be fent to his affiftance.
This will 1'hew you the neceliity of immediately making the
promotions recommended in mine of the twenty-fecond of
January ; for at prefent I cannot fpare a general officer from
this quarter without injuring the fervice.
Nothing of confequence has happened fmce I wrote to
you laft, except a fkirmifh on the rirft of this month, rive
or fix miles from Brunfwic-landing, between our advanced
parties (about feven hundred in the whole) and upwards of
twothoufand of the enemy, under fir William Erlkine. The
heat of the engagement was [borne by} colonel Scott of the
fifth Virginia regiment, who, with about a hundred men,
beat back two hundred of the Britiih grenadiers. Several
other officers behaved with great fpirit ; but there is fome
reafon to fufpe6t that colonel * * *, who commanded our
main body, did not behave altogether as he ought. I have
ordered a court upon him, that the matter may be fairly
canvafled, and that he may ftand condemned or acquitted by
the evidence of thofe \vho were prefent.
Colonel * * *, who was under arreft upon a charge of
cowardice, broke his parole and went over to Bucks-coun
ty, I fuppofe with an intent to make his efcape: but I dif-
patched a troop of light-horfe after him, who brought him
back yefterday ; and he is to take his trial on friday.
The fmall-pox has made fuch head in every quarter, that
I find it iinpoiTible to keep it from fpreacling through the
whole
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 25
iv hole army in the natural way. I have therefore determined,
jiot only to inoculate all the troops now here that have not
had it, but ihuli order dodtor Shippen to inoculate the re
cruits as fail as they come in to Philadelphia. They will
loie no time, becaufe they will go through the diforder while
their clothing, arms and accoutrements are getting ready.
From the firil inftitution of civil government, it has beea
the national policy of every precedent ftate to endeavor to
engage its members to the di (charge' of their public duty by
the obligation of fome oath : its force and happy influence
has been felt in too many inftances, to need any arguments
to fupport the policy or prove its utility. I have often thought
the ftates have been too negligent in this particular, and am
more fully convinced of it from the effect general Howe's
cxcurfion has produced in New-Jerfey, — An oath is the
only fuMUtute that can be adopted, to fupply the defect of
principle. — *-By our inattention in this article, we loie a. con-
fiderable cement to our own force, and give the enemy an
opportunity to make the firft tender of the oath of allegiance
to the king. Its baneful influence is but too feverely felt at
this time. The people generally confefs they were compelled
to take protection, and fubfcribe the Declaration : yet it fur-
niihes many with arguments to refufe taking any active part:
and further they allege themfelves bound to a neutrality at
Jeaft. Many confcientious people who were well- wi {hers to
the caufe, had they been bound to the ftates by an oath,
would have fufFerecl any punimment. rather than h:ive taken
the oath of allegiance to the king ; and are now loft to our
intereft for want of this neceiTary tie. — Notwithftanding the
obligation of the Aj]oclatlon^ they do not conceive it to have
the fame effect as an oath. — The more united the inhabitants
appear, the greater difficulty general Howe will have in re
conciling them to regal government, and confequently the
lefs hope of conquering them. — For thefe reafons and many
more that might be urged, I ihould ftrongly recommend
every ft ate to fix upon fome oath or affirmation of allegiance
3 to
$6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to be tendered to all the inhabitants without exception, and
to outlaw thofe that refufe it.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrlflown, Pel. II, 1777.
I was yefrcrday waited upon by two French gentle
men, monfieur Romano de Lule, and Robillard. The ririt
producecf a commifiTion flgned by you in I ;nveru;er lail, ap
pointing him a major of artillery : but, by the inclclcd letter
from him to me, he claims much higher rank under the
promifc of Congrefs, — tliat of commandant of the continen
tal artillery. — Whether any fuch promife was made, 1 leave
you to determine.
Robillard claims a captaincy of artillery : but, upon what
he grounds his pretenfions, I do not know. I never faw
him but once before ; and that was upon his way from Bof-
ton to Philadelphia.
You cannot conceive what a weight thefe kind of people
are upon the fervice, and upon me in particular. Few of
them have any knowledge of the branches which they prc-
fefs to underfland ; am! thofe that have are entirely ufelefs
as ofEcers, from their ignorance of the Enghfh language.
— I wiih it were poflible to make them rnderih'.nd, when
commiffiqiis are granted to them, that they are to make
themfelves matters of the Englith language in fome degree
before they can be attached to any particular corps,
\ am, fir, wi^-h the greateft refpecl:, &c. G. WT.
^iK» Head-Quarters* Moniftav:n, Feb. 14, 1777.
SINCE I had the honor of addrefifmg you on the
fifth inftant, no event of an important and interefting nature
has oc'currecl, unlefs the fucceffes of our parties in foraging
fcn4 bringing gff fcveral horfcs, waggons, and fome fat cat
tle
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 27
tic and fheep, which w£re contiguous to and around dm
enemy's lines, arc conhdered as fuch. I then mentioned
that I had fuch a icheme in contemplation, which was h-.ip-
pily accompliflied the next day without any lofs. The ene
my in turn have made freqc.cn t efforts in that way, but with
little fuccefs. Whenever they spade ms attempt, it never
failed to produce a fkiltntft). They 7i:iV^~bcCTi common
of late, but with little damage to either iide.
O
We have certain intelligence that they have drawn the
greatcft part of their troops from Rhode-Ifland, and are tohl.-
that part of them have landed on Staren-Iiland and at Am-
boy, with a view of augmenting their force at Brunfwic.
Colonel * * *, agreeable to the information contained in
my laft, lias been tried by a court-martial, and cafiiiered.
The proceedings and fentence I directed to be transmitted to
the fecretary of the war-office, and to the printers of this
jftate and Virginia, to be published.
General Lincoln is juft arrived with a regiment of MafTa-
chufetts militia, about two hundred and fifty. This, he fays,
is fucceeded by three more, which will make in the whole
near eighteen hundred : but in this I think he muft be mif-
taken, unlefs thofe on the march are much fuller and larger
than what they ufunlly are. The whole are of the tioops
that were with general Heath.
General Knox, by a letter cf the firir. inflant, informs me,
that, on mature inquiry and examination, he finds Spring
field to be more convenient and much better calculated for .
an elaboratory and cannon-founderv, than any other part of
the New-England dates. He adds that a quantity of copper,
tin, and other ufeful materials, can be had there ; and that
the necefiary works and preparations, from thefe and other
advantages, can be accomplished at leaft three or four months
fooncr there than any where elfe. In confequence of his
opinion, which I citcem of* weight, particularly in this in-
ftanc'e, — and knov.:ing the fmpbrtarice of, and how effential
tliefe ertablittnneiits are, ^-1 have ventured to order the works
to
*8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to be begun there, without regard to what had been done at
Brookfield, which was of but little confequence. The for
mer, befides the many advantages mentioned by general Knox?
{lands on Conne6ticut-r5ver, and has a good navigation : yet
is entirely fecure againft any attempts of the enemy, being
twenty miles above Hartford, where the river is narrow,
and too fhoal to admit venels that can give the leaft annoy
ance. — As nothing but the good of the fervice could have
led to this meafure, I truft it will be approved.
I have wrote to the affembly of Maflachufetts ftate and the
convention of New-Hampihire, requefting their good of
fices and exertions to promote the railing of their regiments
as expeditioufly as poffible, and to forward the whole of the
quotas firft exacted from them, to Ticonderoga. Their
contiguity to that poft more than to any other, — the import
ance of it, and general SchuyLer's appreheniions that the
enemy may attempt to pafs the lake (if not on the ice) as
foon as it is open,— added to the great trouble, expenfe, and
lofs of time it will fave in marching them elfe where, and
others there who are much more diftant and remote, — induced
me to determine fo. I find the council of the former, on ge
neral Schuyler's earned application, before my letter reached
them, had determined to fend four regiments as foon as they
could be completed. I only wiih the whole may be made
up in a (hort time, and that their arrival may be early c-
nough to prevent thofe inconveniences and fatal confequences
which the want of a fufficiem force in that quarter would
fubjcil us to, were the encmv to pafs the Likes at this
time.
Mr. James Meafe is now here in confequence of being ap
pointed clothier-generai. He is adjufting a plan for aniwer-
ing the eiid of his appointment, and making an eftimate, to
be laid before Congrefs or their fecret committee, of fuch
clothes as may be necefTary to import for the army.
It is with much concern that the fituation of our affairs
obliges me to mention fo frequently the want of money, ef-
pecially
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 29
pccially when I am perfuadecl every means are ufed to fur-*
nifh it. Our diftrefs on this account is great indeed; and
the injury the fervice receives, almofl inconceivable : — not a
day, an hour, or Icarcely a minute paffes, without complaints
and applications on this head. The recruiting the regiments
is moft materially retarded by it.
Ten o'clock, P. M. — Juft now a flag returned, that went
to Brunfwic to-day, who brought the inclofed letters from
general Lee, which I do myieif the honor to tranfmit you,
with a copy of one to my fell.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, JWorriftownt Feb. 14, 1777.
I DO myieif the honor to inclofe you a plan drawn
up by doctor Shipper, in concert with doctor Cochran, for
the arrangement and future regulation of the general hofpi-
tal. As this plan is very exteniive, the appointments nume*
rous, and the falaries affixed to them at prefent, large, I did
not think myfelf at liberty to adopt any part of it before I
laid it before Congrefs for their approbation. I will juft re
mark, that, though the expenfe attending an hofpital upon
the inclofed plan will be very great, it will in the end not
only be a faving to the public, but the only poffible method
of keeping an army a- foot.
We are now, at an enormous bounty, and with no fmall
difficulty, recruiting an army of upwards of a hundred ba-
tallions. The enfuing campaign may, from the fame caufes,
prove as fickly as the laft : and if the hofpitals are in no better
-condition for the reception of the lick, our regiments will be
reduced to companies by the end of the campaign ; and thofe
poor wretches who efcape with Hie will be either feattered
\ip and down the country, and not to be found, or, if found,
totally enervated and unlit for further duty. By thefe means
not only the bounty is loft, but the man is lofl alfo : and I
leave you to judge whether we have men enough to a,liow of
fuch
jo GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fuch a confumption of lives and conititutions as have been lofl-
the lait campaign. For my own part I am certain, that, if
the army which I hope we (hall have in the iield this year is
fufiered to moulder away by iicknefs as it did the lad, we
mult look for reinforcements to fome other places than our
own ftates.
The number of officers mentioned in the inclofed plan I
prefume are neceffary for us, becaufe they are found fo in
the Britii'h holpitals : and, as they are eftabli/hed upon the fur-
eft bails, — that of long experience under the ahleft pliyjQcians
and furgcons, — we ihould nothelitare a moment in adopting
their regulations, when they fo plainly tend to correct and
improve our former want of method and knowledge in this
important department.
The pay affixed to the different appointments is, as I
fakl before, great, and perhaps more than you may think
adequate to the fervice. In detennining upon the fum that
Is to be allowed to each, you ought to conikler that it mould
be fuch as will induce gentlemen of character and fkill in
their profeffion to flep forth, and in fame manner adequate
to the practice which they have at home : for, unlefs fuch
gentlemen are induced to undertake the care and manage
ment ot our hofpi'tals, we had better truft to the force of na
ture and conflitution, than fuffer perfons entirely ignorant
of medicine to deflroy us by ill-dire&cd applications.
I hear from every quarter that the dread of undergoing the
fame miferies for want of proper care and attention when
itck has much retarded the new cnliftments, particularly to
the fouthwarcl. This is another rcafon for eftabliihing our
lolpitois upon a large and generous plan: for we ought to
make the lervice as agreeable and enticing as poflible to the
(okliery, many of whom (efp-cially when we call forth the
iruimH).not only crin'; tlie comforts but the luxuries of life.
A few Jays aoo doftor * * * fent me the inclofed nui-
riii.cnpf, winch is a vindication of his conuu&, upon which
he dciis-c* a court of inquiry may be held- I trammit it to
you
OFFICIAL LETTERS. , 31
you by. his direction. As I do not know what particular
charges were alleged agaiuft him, 1 can fay nothing to it or
about it. You will find a plan of his alfo inclofcd, for the
better regulation of the hofpital : but I think all his hints arc
included in doctor Shippen's plan.
As no time is to be loft in appointing the neceffary officers,
fixing upon the proper places for hofpitals, and many other
preparations, I could wifh that Congrefs would take this
matter under their immediate confederation, and favor me
with their fentiments thereon as foon as poffible.
I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W.
SIR, Head- Quarters, Mo rriftown, Feb. 2 O, 1777.
THE principal defign of this is to inform you that
we have ftrong reafpns to believe that the enemy are on the
point of making fome pufli. What their object is, — whether.
to beat up our quarters and to extend their own, to make a.
large forage and collection of provender of which they arc
in great want, or to turn their views towards the Dela
ware, — is a matter of uncertainty '• but it fecms probable that
one of theie things they have in contemplation. Such of their
troops as have returned fron> Rhode-Ifland have landed at
Amboy, and, with them, fcveral pieces oi heavy artillery.
General Howe is come over too, and, it is faid, lord Percy.
Their number at Brunfwic and the landing-place, before the
arrival of this lad reinforcement, was eftimated from fcv.cn to
eight thoufancl.
I have ordered the utmoft vigilance and attention to be ob-
ferved at our feveral pods, to guard again ft furprifes, and
every preparation to be made that the weak and feeble flats
of our little army will admit of. At this time \ve.aro o:il/
about four thoufand ftrong,— a force, you will fuppoie, 'un
equal to a fuccefsful oppofition, if they were not militia, ani
far too fmali for the exigencies of our affairs. It is impoiTir
Jple to obtain exact returns, though they are daily cJM ,
& for,
#t GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
for,— owing to the frequent and almoft conftant departure of
fome of the corn's.
Colonel Nielfon of Brunfwic, with a detachment of militia,
cm the morning of the eighteenth, furprifed major Stockdon,
tvhom he took with fifty-nine privates of general Skinner7*
corps, killing tour, and bringing away the arms of the whole*
with forae blankets. This about balances the lofs of a
irJluia guard which a party of Britilli troops took laft week
m Monmouth, near the Hook.
I with to be informed how the regiments that are raifing
are to be armed, and of the provifion that has been made for
the fame. I have reafon to fear, indeed I am convinced, that
there is a great deficiency in many-, if not in the whole of the'
ftates, in this article : every letter that I receive from them
mentions their want, and calls for fupplies.
i have the honor to be, &e. G. W»
^ Morrljlovcn, Feb. 2O, *777»
MONSIEUR Faneuil, who fometime ago laid a plan
before you for railing and officering a corps of French
men, waited upon me yeiterday. His fuccefs, as I expefted,
has been ftnall in enliiling or rather engaging Canadians. 1
cannot find that he has met with more than thirty or forty
v;ho would be willing to ferve with him. He i» now upon
another fcheme,— that of raifmg, arming, and clothing a
number of men in the French iflands. — To grant a commif-
^ion of that kind is without the extent of my power?;, and I
lv.ivvi therefore detired him to go forward, and lay his propo*
fals before Congrefs. If they appear fealible, they may be
adopted : but I would beg leave to obferve that one precau
tion will be neceffary, that is, that the commiffions of mon*
ileur Faneuil and his oficcrs mould depend upon the per*
formance ot their agreement for railing any certain numbet
gi men.
.1 have often mentioned to you the diftrefs I, am every no\Y
and
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 33
and 'then laid under by the application of French officers for
commiflions in our fervice. This evil, if I may call it fo, is
a growing one • for, from what I learn, they are coming in
fwarms from old France and the iflands. There will there
fore be a neceflity of providing for them or difcountenancing
them. To do the tirft is difficult; and the laft, difagreeable,
and perhaps impolitic if they are men of merit : — and it is
impoflible to diftinguim thefe from mere adventurers, of
whom, I am convinced, there are the greater! number. They
feldom bring more than a commiflion and pafTport, which, we
know, may belong to a bad as well as a good officer.
Their ignorance of our language, and their inability to re
cruit men, are unfurmountable obftacles to their being in
grafted into our continental batallions : for our officers, who
have raifed their men, and have ferved through the war upon
pay that has hitherto not borne their expenfes, would be dif-
gufted if foreigners were put over their heads : — and I afTure
you, few or none of thefe gentlemen look lower than field-
officers' commiflions. To give them all brevets, by which
they have rank and draw pay without doing any fervice, is
faddling the continent with a vaft expenfe : and to form them
into corps, would be only eftablifhing corps of officers ; for,
as I faid before, they cannot poffibly raife any men.
Some general mode of difpofing of them muft be adopted ;
for it is ungenerous to keep them in fufpenfe, and "at great
charge to themfelvcs ; but I am at a lofs how to point out
this mode. — Suppofe they were told in general, that no man
could obtain a commiffion, except he could raife a num
ber of men in proportion to his rank. This would erfe6lu-
ally flop the mouths of common appliers, and would leave
us at liberty to make provilion for gentlemen of undoubted
military chii.ract.er and merit, who would be very uieful to us
as foon as they acquired our language.
If you approve of this, or can think of any better method,
be pleafed to inform me ~s foon as you poflibly can : for, if
VOL. II." D I had
34 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I had a decifive anfwer to give them, it would not only fave
me much trouble but much time, which I am now obliged to
beftow* in hearing their different pretenfions to merit, and
their expectations thereupon,
I inclofe you the papers which monfieur Faneuil original
ly laid before the council of Maffachufetts : they may be of
ufe if you enter into; a negotiation witbhim.
I have the honor tabe, &tc. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrifiown, Feb. 23, 1777.
CONGRESS having refolved that feveral regiments
of cavalry mould be raifed to form a part of their army, I
beg leave, through you, to lay before them the inclofed lift of
officers which appear necefTary to be appointed to each corps,
and whkh they will be pleafed.fo eftabli-m. At the fame
rime I flioald fuppofe it highly expedient to fix their pay and
fhat of the privates^ There is now one regiment in fervice,
and three more recruiting r this makes it indifpenfably necef-
f&ry that it mould be done. Applications are conftantly
making,, to know what the pay is, and objections- raifed
again ft the fervice for want of due information*
I have trai^fmkted a lift of fuch pay as feemed to- be thought
reasonable for part of the officers to receive when colonel
Sheldon's regiment was directed to be levied, and a copy of
the memorandum made at that time. This, colonel Sheldon,
conceived, would not be more than adequate to their fervices*.
trouble, and expenfe, and which in focae degree was founded
on the opinions of other gentlemen of whom inquiry was
made upon the fubjecl. I did not fix it in the uiftance*
where it is fet down with certainty, as the memorandum
will (Hew. A criterion, by which I was alfo governed upon,
that occafion, was the refolve appointing Mr. Sheldon lieu-
tenant-colonel-comnumdant with, the rank and pay of colonel.
From thence I attempted to proportion that of fome other of-,
ficers.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 35
ficers* — Upon the whole I think it fhould be fettled without
further lofs of time, and wiih the earlieft attention of Coa-
grefs to be had to it.
Our delicate and truly critical fituation, for want of a fuf-
ncient force to oppofe the enemy who are flow ready, and,
before many days elapfe, will take the field, induced me to
expect that the troops railing in the fouthern dates, and in
tended for this army, would inarch in companies or half com
panies as they were made up, without waiting for their regi
ments to be complete. Policy ftrongly fuggefted the proprie
ty of the meafure, and I requested it: but; to my great anxiety
and furprife, I am told that this line of conduct is totally neg
lected, though a great number of recruits are actually engaged.
I muft entreat Congrefs to interpofe again with their moft
prefling applications and commands that this expedient may
be adopted without a moment's delay. No injury can re*
fult from it, becaufe a fufficient number of proper officers
can and muit be left, to recruit the corps to their full com
plement.
Nor will my fears refpedting the flate of our arms allow
me to be filent on that head. Let the dates be urged to fend
their men equipped with them and every other necefTary, if
poflible. I know not what fupplies may be in (tore elfe-
where, or in the power of Congrefs : but they muft not de
pend upon their being furnimed here with any, or but with
very few : — no human prudence or precaution could fecure
but a (mail part of thofe belonging to the public, and in
the hands of the foldiery, from being embezzled and carried
off when their time of fervice expired j nor can the fame
abufes be reftrained in the militia.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrljlown, Feb. 28, 1777.
NO military operation of any confequence has oc
curred iince I had the honor of writing to you laft, except
D 2 that
36 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
that on funday I received information that the enemy wcftf
advancing in a manner and in numbers fo much greater than
ufual, that it looked like a prelude to an attack upon our
pofts, which were immediately put in the beft preparation to
receive them. It turned out to be only a ftronger foraging
party than ufaal. They were however oppofed in fo fpirit>
ed a manner by our advanced parties, that they were checked,
and retired in the afternoon towards Amboy, from whence?
they came. Their lofs in the courfe of the day, from the
beft accounts I can get, amounts to abont one hundred m
killed, wounded, prifoners, and deferters. Some people who
were near the fcene of action, and who have picked up ac
counts from thofe who have lince been in Amboy, are fan-
guine enough to fuppofe that they loft five hundred altoge
ther : but of this I have no conception- — Our lofs was only
two killed and ten wounded.
I was in hopes, that, by the time the militia who are now
in fervice would be difcharged, we fhould have a confide! -
able number of the new levies in the field : but, though I have
reports from all quarters of the great fuccefs of recruiting, I
cannot get a man of them into fervice. General Johnfon'a
militia all go the fifth of March (many are gone already),
and general Lincoln's on the fifteenth. Thefe two bodies
form fo confiderable a part of our force, that^ unleis they are
replaced, I mail be left in a manner deftitute : for I have no
great hopes of feeing an equal number of continental troops
by that lime.
I have wrote to Per>nfyWan.iay to endeavor to get a rein
forcement of militia from thence ; and I am told the militia
from the counties of Baltimore,- Hartford, and Cecil, in Ma-
rylamF, are on their march : but as I have it not from any au
thority, T know not when to expe£t them, or in what num
bers. They are about pafling a militia-law in this ftate,
which may perhaps have forne effedt : but at prefent they
are.- under no regulation at all.
; I have in my Luc letter* recommended feveral things to
your
OFFICIAL LETTERS. , 37
your confideration, particularly that of a promotion of ge
neral officers. The very well-being of the new army de
pends upon its being done fpeedily. Not only this, but we
are now fufFering for want of brigadiers. General Schuyler
has wrote moft preflingly for the afiiftance of general officers ;
and I have none to fend him without injuring the fervice in
this quarter.— The hofpital plan too requires an anfwer, as
nothing can be done in the nomination of the proper officers
till I have your determination. — There are feveral other mat
ters of confequence before you, to which I am waiting your
anfw.ers before I can proceed upon the refpedlive points to
\vhich they refer.
Inclofcd you have a letter from the \vido\y of a brave of
ficer who was killed at Princeton, If any provifion is made,
I do not recolle'cl: what it is : if there is any, pleafe to inform
me : if there is not, I can venture to recommend her as a pro
per object, to make fpme reparation for her great lofs.
J have the honpr to be, &c, G. W.
P. S. Mine of the twentieth mentioned that lord Percy ha4
arrived with the troops from Rhode-lfland : but I rind he re
mains there. By fome gentlemen juft arrived from Bofton,
idodlor Franklin's arrival in France is mentioned with cer
tainty. A ihip come to Salem brings the intelligence, the
captain of which fays the doctor had got in five days before
his departure ; alfo that captain Weeks made two prizes in
hjs paffage, and they were condemned and fold at Bordeaux.
Head-Quarters, Aforriftown, Afarc/i I, 1777.
I WAS this evening honored with your favor of the
twenty-third ultimo, accompanied by fundry proceedings of
Congrefs. Thofe refpecting general Lee, and which prefcribe
the treatment of lieutenant-colonel Campbell and the five.
Jieflian field-officers, are the caufe of this letter.
Though I fmcerely commiferate the misfortunes of general
D 3 Lee,
33 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Lee, and feel much for his prefent unhappy fituation, yet,
\vith all poffible deference to the opinion of Oongrefs, I fear
that thefe vefolutions would not have the defired effect:, — arc
founded in impolicy, — and will, if adhered to, produce con-
iequences of an extenfive and melancholy nature. Retalia
tion is certainly juft, and fometimes neceflfary, even where
attended with the fevereft penalties : but, when the evils which
may and muft refujt from it exceed thofe intended to be redref-
fed, prudence and policy require that it (hould be avoided.— -
Having prfcemifed thus much, I beg leave to examine the jufr
tice and expediency of it in the inftances now before us.
From the bed information I have been able to obtain, ge
ne al Lee's ufage has not been fo disgraceful and difhonor-
able as to authoi ife the treatment decreed to thofe gentlemen,
was it not prohibited by many other important confiderations.
His confinement, I believe, has been more rigorous than has
been generally experienced by the reft of our officers, or
thofe of the enemy who have been in our poffeffion : but
if the reports be true (received on that head), he has been
provided with a decent apartment and with moft things necef-
fary to render him comfortable. This is not the cafe with
one of the officers comprehended in the refolves, if his letter,
of which a copy is tranfmitted, defcrves your credit. Here
retaliation feems to have been prematurely begun ; or, to
ipeak with more propriety, feverities have been and are exer-
cifed towards colonel Campbell, not juftified by any that ge
neral Lee has yet received.
In point of policy, under the prefent fituation of qur af
fairs, this doctrine cannot be fupported. The balance of
prifoners is greatly againft us ; and a general regard to the
happinefs of the whole fhpujd mark pur conduct. Can vvq
imagine that our enpmies will not mete the fame puniili-
ments, th,e fame indignities, the fame cruelties^ to thofe be
longing to us, in their pofleffion, that we impofe on theirs in,
ppr power ? Why fhould we fuppofe them to pofTcis more
J}U$anity than we have purfelves ? or why fhouk| an inefr
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 3^
fe&ual attempt to relieve the diftrevTes of one brave unfortu
nate man involve many more in the fame calamities ?
. However clifagreeable the fa6t may be, the enemy at this
•time have in their .power, and fubjeft to their call, near three
hundred officers belonging to the army of the United States.
In this number there are fome of high rank ; and moft of
them are men of bravery and of merit. Tlie <;uota of theirs in
our hands bears no proportion, being not more than fifty at
moft. Under thefe circumftances we fhouhl certainly do no
acl: to draw upcn the gentlemen belonging to us, and who
have already fuffered a long captivity, greater punitfuiients
than they hare and now experience. If we fhould, what
•will their feelings be, and thofe of their numerous and exten-
five connexions ? — Suppofe the treatment prefer.! bed for the
Heffians fhould be purfued, will it not eftabiidi what the
-enemy have been aiming to effect by every artifice and the
grofTeft mifreprefentations, — 1 mean, an opinion of our enmi
ty towards them, and of the cruel conduct they experience
when they fall into our hands, — a prejudice which we on
our part have heretofore thought it politic to fupprefs and to
root out by every adl: of lenity and of kindnefs? — It certainly
will : — the Hefuans would hear of the puniihment with all
the circumftances of heightened exaggeration, — would feel
the injury, without inveftigatkig the caufe, or reafoaing upon
the juftice or neceflity of it. The mifchiefs, which may and
mud inevitably flow from the execution of the refolves, ap-
-pear to beendlefs and innumerable.
On my own part, I have been mudi cmbarraffed on the
fubjecT: of exchanges already. Applications arg daily made
by both friends and enemies, to complete them as far as cir-r-
cumftances of number and rank will apply. Some of the
former have complained that a difcrim-ination is about to be
adopted, perhaps injurious to their reputation, and certainly-
depriving them of their right of exchange in due courfe, as
cftablifhed upon the principles of equality propofed lafl year,
acceded to by both parties, and now fublifUng.. The lat-
D 4 ter
40 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ter charge me with a breach of faith, and call upon me to
perform the agreement.
Many more objections might be fubjoined, were they ma
terial : — I (hall only obferve that the prefent ftate of our ar
my (if it deferves that name) will not authorife the language
of retaliation or the ftyle of menace. This will be conceded
by all who know that the whole of our force is weak and
trifling, and compofed of militia (a very few regular troops
excepted) whofe fervice is on the eve of expiring.
There are feveral other matters which might be mentioned
upon this fubjecT:, would time and opportunity permit : but
as they will not, I beg leave to refer you to colonel Walker,
who will deliver this, and give fatisfadlion to any inquiries
that may be deemed neceffary.Perfuadingmyfelf thatCongrefs
will indulge the liberty I have taken upon this occafion, I
have only to wifh for the refult of their deliberations after
they have reconiklered the refolves, and to allure them that
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarters, Morriftoivn, March 6, 1777*
I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you the inclofed
copy of a letter from general Lee, received by a flag on
tuefday laft. You will perceive from thence his wifhes and
expectations of feeing fome members of Congrefs in confe-
quence of his letter upon that fubjecl:. None of the paiTports
which he mentions were lent out, though the letter came
by general Howe's permiflion as the others did. I fhould be
happy to relieve his anxiety as far as I could, by fending- in
major Morris : but this I cannot do till a fafe-condu6t is
gran eel.
The more I confider the refolves refpecting lieutenant -co
lonel Campbell and the Hefilan officers, the more convinced
I am of their impolicy. The proportion made by Congrefs
for the exchange of prifoners, and which by their direction
was tranfmitted to general Howe, was founded on princi
ples
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 4*
pies of equality in number and in rank. From hence no de
mand, as a matter of right, can be made of general Lee's re^
leafement for any officer or number of officers of interior rank:
whatever is or might be done in ftich inllance, would be of
favor and indulgence. The only cartel that now fubfifts is
the one I have mentioned. This, fo far as it goes, is a bene
ficial one : it recognifes the rank of our officers, and infures
their difcharge from captivity whenever we are pofleiTed of a
like number belonging to them, and of the fame ra.nk. If
on our part it ihould be violated, —if it is notobferved, — fure-
ly it will and muft ceafe to be obligatory on general Howe.
What confequences may then enfue, I leave to your conjec
ture.
If it be objected that the above obfervations, and what I
faid in my former letter, prove that no treatment received by
our officers ihould be retaliated on theirs, — my anfvver is, that
the proportion of officers in their hands is at lea ft fix to one
in ours. This consideration, fuppoiihg we had a right to
demand general Lee's liberty, would be of great weight, and
fufficient to prevent, in my opinion, the execution of the re-
folves. — I have the honor to be, in hafte, yourmoft obe
dient fervant, G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Afarrljlown.) March 14, 1777.
I WAS honored fcvcral days ago with your letter
of the twenty-fifth ultimo, with its inclofures, the receipt
of which was omitted to be acknowledged in my lail.
Could I accompliih the important objects fo eagerly wiflied
by Congrefs, — " confining the enemy within their prefent
quarters, — preventing their getting fupplies from the country,
and totally fubduing them before they are reinforced," — I
fhould be happy indeed. But what profpecl: or hope can.
there be of my effecting fo drfirable a work at this time \
The incloied return, to which I folicit the mod ferious attenr
tion of Congrefs. comprehends the whole force I have in
42 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Jerfey. It is but a handful, and bears no proportion, on the
icale of numbers, to that of the enemy. Added to this, the
major part is made up of militia. The moft fanguine in
fpeculation cannot deem it' more than adequate to the leaft
valuable purpofes of war.
The reinforcements mentioned to be drawn from general
Heath were merely ideal, — nearly the whole of the eaftern
!roops which were with him being here before. 7'hey were
only engaged till to-day: and to-day they leave the camp.
Their fervice has been of pretty long continuance, and al-
moft the whole of the winter months. What profpect there
rnay be of immediate fuccours from other quarters, I know
not: but from the militia of this (late I cannot expect to de
rive much more aid. Thofe who are well affected have been
fo frequently called from their homes, that they are tired out,
and almoft profefs an abhorrence of the fervice : nor have I
heard as yet that any continental troops are on the way. I
have wrote to the brigadiers-general in moft of the ftates
upon the fubjedt, and alfo to the colonels, urging them by
every motive to exert themfelves in rilling the regiments, and
to forward them on.
I confefs, fir, I feel the moft painful anxiety when I re
flect on our fituation and that of the enemy. Unlefs the
levies arrive foon, we muft, before it be long, experience
fome interefting and melancholy event. I believe the enemy
have fixed their object, and the execution will furely be at
tempted as foon as the roads are pavTable. The unprepared
ftate, in which we are, favors all their deiigns ; and it is
much to be wiilied that they may not fucceed to their warm-
«ft .expectations.
On recurring to the late promotions of brigadiers, I
find the number appointed to be fhort of what I took the li
berty to recommend, and not competent to the exigencies of
the fervice, fuppoilng the whole in office before* and thofe
lately created, confent to act, which I have reafon to believe
.TV ill not be the cafe. I {hall only beg leave to refer you to
7- my
OFFICIAL LETTERS 43
imy former letters upon this fubjedt, and to allure you that
ma«y difadv-'.ntages will refult from not having a fufficient
number of officers of this rank. We have always been de
ficient in this infhince ; and certain I am that the fervice has
been greatly injured by it. The proportion I mentioned was
•full fmall, and, in my opinion, fhould not be difpenfed with.
I would alfo take the liberty of mentioning again (having
received no anfwer upon the fubjeft) that fettling the hofpital
plan and eflabliihment becomes more and more necefTary.
It is an object of infinite importance ; an4 the difficulties of
doing it on a proper foundation will be great, if not almoil
infurmpuntable, fhould it be deferred till the campaign
opens, and the enemy begin their operations. The bene
fits of the inftitution will foon be known :— the want was
feverely felt in the courfe of the laft year.
There is one thing more which claims, in my opinion,
the earlieft attention of Congrefs, — I mean the pay of the re
gimental furgeons, and that of the mates. Thefe appoint
ments are fo efiential, that they cannot be done without. The
pay, in the firft inflance, is ib low, fo inadequate to the fer-
vices which fhould be performed, that no man fuftainingthe
character of a gentleman, and who has the leaft medical a-
bilities or Ikill in the profefTion, can think of accepting it :
that in the latter is fo paltry and trifling, that none, of the
leafl generofity of fentiment or pretenfions to merit, can
confent to a6fc for it. In a word, thefe are inconveniences of
an interefling nature : — they amount to an exclufion of per-
fons who could difcharge the duties of thofe offices ; and, if
not redreiTed, there is not the fmalleft probability that any
can be prevailed on to enter them again.
There are feveral matters alfo which I referred to Congrefs
fome time iince, and upon which I have not received the re
fult ot their deliberations. — One inquiry, about the ftate of
arms and ammpnition, I am peculiarly anxious to be fatis-
jficd in.
from the inconveniences and ipjunes to the fervice of Tare
for
^44 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
for want of money, I am induced to requeft that the
regard mould be had to furnifhing the pay-matter with con-
ihint and fufficient fupplies. On funday he received live hrm-
tlred thoufand dollars, half of which is already expended, and
the balance in a day or two will be entirely fwept away,
without difcharging the feveral claims. By his report, the
comraifTary here requires an immediate draught for a hun
dred thoufand ; and the militia returning and about to leave
camp, a hundred and twenty thoufand more. The expenfc
incurred by calling on them fo frequently is almoft incredi
ble. Befides thefe, there are feveral arrears due to the old
troops, aftd to mod of the general and ftafF officers,
J have the honor to be, &;c. G. W.
I fully intended to tranfmit you a general return, but
am not able to make it out with precifion. However, from
the moft Accurate eftimate that I can form, the whole of
our numbers in Jerfey, fit for duty at this time, is under
three thoufand. Thefe (nine hundred and eighty-one excepted)
are militia, and {land engaged only till the laft of this month.
The troops under inoculation, including their attendants,,
Amount to about one thoufand.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrlflown, March 18, 1777.
THE difficulty if not impoffibility of giving Congrcfs
a jufl idea of our fituation (and of feveral other important
matters requiring their earlieft attention) by letter, has in
duced me to prevail on major-general Greene to wait upon
them for that purpofe. This gentleman is fo much in my
confidence, fo intimately acquainted with my ideas,— with
,cur ilrength and our weaknefTes,— with every thing refpe&-
ing the army,-r-~that \ haye thought it unneceflary to parti-
cularife qj prefcribe any certain line of duty or inquiries for
him.. I fhall only fay, from the rank he holds as an able
and good officer in the eflimation of all who know him, he
deicrvcs the greateft refpe£t ; and much regard is due to hi$.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 45
opinions in the line of his profeflion. He has upon his mind
iuch matters as appear to me moft material to be immediate
ly confidered of; and many more will probably arife during
the intercourse you may think proper to honor him with ;
— on all which I wifh to have the fenfe of Congrefs, and the
refult of fuch deliberations as may be formed thereupon.
I have inclofed an extract of a letter received yefterday
from governor Trumbull, with a copy of one intercepted,
going from the late governor Wentworth to his fifter. The
information contained in the latter, if true, is important
and interefting : how far it is to be relied on, 1 cannot deter
mine : but there can be no doubt of the Britifh court's (Train
ing every nerve and intereft at home and abroad, to bend us
to their * * * yoke.
I have the honor to be, &c. G, W,
SlR, 'Morrijlown, March 21, 1777*
I WAS laft night honored with your letter of the
feventeenth inftant, covering fundry refolutions of Congrefs,
which (hall have my attention.
Having charged major-general Greene, who will probably
be in Philadelphia to-day, with fuch matters as I wiftied to
refer to the confideration of Congrefs, I have nothing to
trouble them with at this time, or material to inform them of-
1 .have the honor to be, &c. G, W.
SlR., Head-Quarters^ Aforrlftown, Afarch 23, 1777-
COLONEL Palfrey, having exprefled a defire to
fettle the accounts of his office to this time, has obtained my
permiffion to repair to Philadelphia, and now waits on Con
grefs with his books and vouchers, hoping that a committee
will be appointed to examine and adjuft the fame.
The difadvantages which have arifen to the fervice, and
which luve beenfeverely felt, for want of conftaru fuipplies i«
the
46 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the military cheft, are almoft incredible, and are not to be
defcribcd but with great difficulty to thofe who are not im
mediately in the army, and privy to the frequent and impor
tunate applications that are made. To prevent inconveni-
encies of the like nature in future, I have thought it proper that
an eftimate of the monthly advances fhould be formed and
laid before Congrefs. This colonel Palfrey will do ; and,
though it cannot be effected with a degree of fcrupulous ex-
aclnefs and precision, yet from his intimate knowledge of
the incidental charges and expenfes in the common courfe of
things, the calculation, I apprehend, will be attended with
many benefits. It will {hew Congrefs the necelTary provi-
fions of money to be made for ordinary contingencies, and
enable them to form a rule for their government in the in-
ftance of fupplies for the army.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, JMorriJtown, March 26, 1777.
YESTERDAY a letter, of which the Jnclofed is a
copy, came to my hands. The account is confirmed by
a countryman who is lincc come in : but nothing diftin£t has
yet been received.
The aid required of me in colonel Hay's letter cannot be
given : — I have no men to oppofe the enemy's defigns in any
one quarter, although called upon from every quarter. Ail
that was poffible for me to do towards collecting a force at
Peeklkill, I had attempted before: — I had in peremptory
terms called upon the officers of Rhode-Ifland and Connec
ticut to forward on their recruits under proper officers as
faft as poffible to that place : I had 'directed fuch of the New-
York regiments as had been ordered to Ticonderoga, to repair
thither : I had requeued eight of the MafTachufetts regiments
to be marched to that poft : and, left thefe fhould not arrive
in time, I urged governor Trumbull, in a letter of the
tixth inftant, to fend two thoufaud of his militia to the fame
place.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 47
place. But forry I am to obferve, the militia have got tired ;
and the colonels of the continental regiments have been great
ly deceived themfelves, — have greatly deceived me, — or the
moft unheard-of defertions * * * have prevailed * * * : for
regiments, reported two or three months ago to be half com
pleted, are, upon the colonels being called upon in pofitive
terms for a juft Hate of them, found to contain lefs than one
hundred men ; and this not the cafe of a fmgle regiment only,
but of many. In Connecticut alone, by a letter from ge
neral Parfons, of the fixth inftant, four regiments are men
tioned as not having more than eighty rank and file,, each.
Thefe, fir, are melancholy truths : but facts they are, and
neceiTary to be known to Congrefs, however prudent it may
be to conceal them from the obfervation of others.
To fuperintend the bufmefs of recruiting,— to fee that the
officers were diligent, — to prevent impolitions if poilible,—
to appoint fit places of rendez-vous, — to fee that the recruits
were actually brought tc* thole places, and there equipped
and trained for the field, — were among the great objects
which early and repeatedly induced me to prefs the appoint
ment of general officers : but unfortunately the delay of ap
pointing, being followed by the resignation of fome officers
and non-acceptance of others, will involve the army in a
mere chaos of confuiion at a time when the utmoil order
and regularity fhould prevail, and when all our arrange*
ments ought to be completely eftablifhcd.- — The medical de
partment will, it i* much to be feared, be in the fame fitua-
tion : — not an officer yet appointed to it.
For want of proper and coercive powers, — from difaffec-
tion and other caufes, — the militia of this ftate are not to be
depended upon. They are drawn out with difficulty, and at
a moil enormous expenfe, as their accounts will fhew : they
come, you can fcarce tell how ; they go, you hardly know
when. In the fame predicament are thofe of Pennfylvania.
Numbers from this ftate have joined the enemy ; and ma
ny more are difpofed to do fo, as the letter from Mr. HorF
(a copy
4$ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
(a copy of which is inclofed, correfponding with feveral others
of the fame tenor) fufficiently evinces.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Small as our prefent force is, it will be reduced in a
few days by the going off of the Jerfey three-months-men,
the Cecil-county militia, and the Virginia volunteers, all of
whom claim difcharges the firft of next month. I have fent
an officer exprefs towards Peekfkill to inquire into the cir-
cumftances and confequence of the enemy's defcent upon that
place, — not being able to account for general M'DougaFs
{who commands there) and general Clinton's (who is at the
forts in the Highlands) their iilence upon this occafion.
SIR, Morrlftoiun, March 29, 1777.
I LAST night had the honor to receive your letter of
the twenry-fixth inftant, accompanied by fundry refolves of
Congrefs, and fome other papers.
The arrival of the arms, locks, and flints, you have been
pleafed to mention, is a moft fortunate and happy event. I
join you moil fmcerely in congratulations upon the occafion.
I have not yet obtained a certain account of the expedition
againft and cleilruclion of Peekikill. Information of thofe
events has not been yet tranfmitted by generals M'Dougal
or Clinton, or the convention of the ftate. There is no
doubt but that the town is deftroyed, and, with it, fome
itores : — 'neither the quality nor amount of them is known-
It is faid that it was done in part by our own people when
they found that they could not prevent them falling into the
enemy's hands. — The Ihips and troops have gone down the
river again.
Mr. Kirkland, the Oiieida. miffionary, arrived here this
week with a chief warrior and five other Indians of that na
tion. They had been to Bofton, and came from thence to
this place to inquire iiiio the true flute of rna:it:s, that they
might
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 49
might report them to a grand council to be fhortly held.
They faid thiiigs were fo faliely and variouily reprefented by
our enemies through their agents, that they did not know
what to depend on. I invited them to go to Philadelphia :
but they declined it, declaring fhey were well fatisfied with
what they had feen, and that they were authorifed to tell their
nation, all they had heard from the enemy was falfe. Being
told that France was aflifting us, and about to join in the
\var, they feemed highly pleafed ; and Mr. Kirkland faid he
was perfuaded it would have a confiderable effecl: on the
minds of feveral of the nations, and fecure to us their neutra
lity, if not a declaration and commencement of hoftilities in
our favor. I fliewed them every civility in my power, and
every thing that I thought material to excite in them an idea
of our frrength and independence. After (laying two days,
they let off for their nation, expreffing their defire of the
moft fpeedy return to the council, and profefiing the mod
friendly fentiments towards us.
I h<ive che honor to be, 6cc. G. W.
SIR, Mornjlown, March 29, 1777.
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you this morn
ing by the return exprefs, the eafrera port arrived. The in
telligence he brought is agreeable and interefling, as you will
perceive by the mclofed letter from Mr. Hazard, which I do
myfelf the pleafure of tranfmitting you. I am happy to fay
the arrival of the ihip at Portfmouth and the capture of the
two prizes is confirmed by other letters from gentlemen of
note in and about Bofton. Upon thefe events 1 give you my
mod hearty congratulations. Some of the letters add that a
French general, colonel, and major, came paffengers in the
fhip, who are highly recommended by doclor Franklin.
The affair of Peeklkill has not been tranfmitted me with
certainty : but I am informed the relation of it, in London's
paper which I have inclofed, is nearly as it happened.
I have the honor to be, &c, G. W
VOL. II. E
50 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
STR, Headquarters, Morrijlown, March 31, I777*1
CAPTAIN Delhields, of Mr. Buchanan's ihip from
Baltimore, who was taken hy the enemy and carried inter
York, made his efcape from thence on faturday evening. He
informs that three thdufand troops, Biitifti and Heman, em
barked about fen Jays ago from the city and Staten-Ifland,
on board tranfports which were lying at the latter when
he came away. He adds that the enemy have built and arc
building a ntfmber of light flat-bottomed boats, about feventy
of which were finifhed.
Captain Defhields fays it feemed to be the general opinion,
and converfation that this embarkation was for Chefapeak-
bay, with a view of making a defcent on the Eaftern-Shore,
or that the troops were to proceed to the Head of Elk, tak-
hig Annapolis and Baltimore in their way. There were fome.
who thought it probable they mean to go up the North-river
and attempt the Highland fortifications. — I have v/ritten to
generals M'Dougal and Clinton, defiring them to make the
beft preparation that circumftances will admit of, for their
reception, in cafe the latter ihouid be their object.
Captain Deibields being in company with the captain of the
packet, but unknown to him, heard him fay that a war with
France was much expedited when h-e left England, which
was about the beginning of February.
I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W.
Si EL, Uead-QiietrierS) Afornjloivn^ Apnl 1, 1777.
SINCE I had the honor of writing to you laft, I
liave received the inclofed from general M'Dougal, which
contains a full account of the late affair at Peekfkill. Every
prudential ftep appears to have been taken by the general,
and as good a difpoiitiotl made as his fmall number of men
would admit of*
t have heard nothing further refpe6thig the embarkation*
of troops which 1 mentioned in my laft.- — -I am in hopes the?
OFFICIAL LETTERS. J»
Connecticut militia will arrive at Peekflull before another
expedition is made up the Nprth-river. I have wrote to
haften them as much as poflible, left fuch another defign
ihould be really in agitation. — In my opinion, Delaware-bay
is their object, and Chefapeak only thrown out by way of
blind : their late attempt to procure Delaware pilots feems to
confirm it.
I obferve by your late promotions that a foreign gentle*
man is appointed to the command of the German batallioiii
I could wifh that he was ordered to join immediately, as that
regiment much wants an officer of experience at the head
of it. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I have ordered the deputy quarter-mailer general to
eftablifli proper relays of exprefTes between this and Philadel
phia, that intelligence may be occafionally conveyed in the
mod expeditious manner* If there mould be any appearance
of a fleet in Delaware-bay, it will be known in a very few
hours in Philadelphia, by hoifting the fignals ; and I beg I
may have the earlieft notice of it. — The quarter-m after will
inform you who his rider in Philadelphia is, that you may-
know where to apply*
SlR, Head- Quarters, Merrijlowrt, Jprit q, 1^77.
1 AM honored with yours of the fourth, inclofing fun-
dry refolves of Congrefs from the twenty-ninth of March to
the fifth inftant. — I am extremely glad to fee the refclve for
the immediate removal of military ftofes from Baltimore and
Annapolis : for, although I do not imagine that the enemjr
intend an expedition of any great confequence in Chefapeak*.
bay, yet while the (lores lay at the above-mentioned places,
they were always fubje£t to be deftroyed by a, fudden attack
of a {hip of war with a few land forces.
The regulations for the paymafter-generai's department
fire very falufary, and, if carried {lri£rly into execution, will1
a vafl faying to the public* It may be eafily done
E 2 whcu
52 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
when the army is put upon a regular footing: but, while we
are obliged to make ufe of militia, we muft fubmit to all the
irregularities that naturally attend them, and mufl not there
fore expect to have the rule as fci upuloufly complied with by
•them as could be wifhed. * * *
The mufter-mafter-general complained that the duty re*
quired of him was more than he could perform : but by the
late refolves there is an ample allowance for deputies ; and
therefore no further excufe can he made upon that head.
I moft ardently wifli to fee the hofpital eftablimed. I am
.afraid too much time lias been loft in the confideration of the
plan : but .the gentlemen who {hall be appointed to the fu-
perintendence muft endeavor to make up for loft time by
their diligence.
By the lateft accounts from Brunfwic, it looks as if the
enemy were projecting an embarkation. They have been
dripping the buildings of boards, and cutting fmall timber,
and transporting them from Brunfwic to Amboy. It is ima
gined this is to build births in their transports. — 1 fliall keep
a conftant look-out upon the motions of their veffels, and
{hall endeavor to obtain every intelligence by fending people
into their quarters. — I think Delaware-bay muft be their def-
tination if they move by water.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Morrijlown, April IO, 1777.
I WAS juft now honored with your letter of the
ninth inftant, covering fundry resolutions of Congrefs. Thofe
fur regulating the hofpital and medical department, I truft^
•will prove of the moft falutary confequences. It is only tQ
be regretted that this neceflfary and liberal inftitution had nOt
been gone into and completed at an earlier period.
The honors Congrefs have decreed to the memory of ge
nerals Warren and Mercer afford me the higheft pleafure '?
their character and merit had a juft claim to every mark of
refpect j
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 53
*refpe& ; and I heartily wiih that every officer of the United
States, emulating their virtues, may by their actions fecure to
themfelves the fame right to the grateful tributes of their
country.
Since writing to you yefterday I have received further in
telligence of the enemy's preparations in York, indicating a
movement before long. It is contained in the incloied letter,
N° i, and corroborates the opinion I have long entertained
that they would make a pufh againft Philadelphia. , The
tory regiments mentioned, we are told, are at Hackiniac, and
are about five hundred ftrong, exclufive of a company of
Highlanders which is with them.
The inclofed letter from le chevalier count De Vrecourt
came to hand this morning, — which I have thought proper
to tranfmit to Congrefs, that they may coniider his cafe, and
adopt fuch meafures refpecting him as his character and tef-
timonials deferve. I never heard of him before : but if he is
a fkilful engineer, he will be extremely ufeful, and ihould be
employed, though he may not underlland our language. At
this time we have not one with the army, nor one to join it,
of the leaft reputation or pretenfions to (kill. If this gentle
man came in confequence of an agreement with doctor
Franklin, and brought credentials from him, I ihould fuppofe
him to be acquainted with what he was recommended for.
The cartel, propofed to be fettled, and io long in agita
tion, is not accompliflied yet : the laft meeting on thai bufi-
nefs was the fecond inftant, when nothing was done ; nor is
a further inter view appointed refpecling it. I have tranfmit-
ted a copy of lord Cornwallis's letter which came out the
next day, with that of the paper alluded to by uim, which
Mr. Harrifon refufed to receive from colonel Walcot, and of
my anfwer to the latter in a letter to general Howe. The
objections or articles mentioned by colonel Walcot were
th'jfe general Greene had with him, and which he left when
lie carne from Philadelphia ; the original I have by me.
Thofe points were inliiled on again, and rejected, and a ten-
E 3 der
54 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
der made of the paper by colonel Walcot, which he brought '
with him prepared.
I have appointed John Wilkens, John Steel, Mathew
Irvine, and Sarnuei Kerfley, efquires, captains of companies to
be raifed by them, in confequence of the recommendation of
general Armftrong. As the intereft of thofe gentlemen lies
in Pennfylvania chiefly, and it would be drawing money
from the payrnafter here to carry to Philadelphia (fnppoling
there was a fupply in the cheft, which is not the cafe), I mall
be obliged by CongreiVs ordering fix hundred dollars to be
advanced to each of them on account of the recruiting fer-
vice ; the firft of whom I imagine is in Philadelphia. If this
isequifition can be complied with, he, 1 prefume, will give
notice to the reft ; or, if general Armftrong is informed of it,
he will do it.
J have the honor to be, &c, G, W,
SIR, Head-Quarters^ Morrijlown, April 12, 1777,
HAVING feen a letter from doctor Franklin, and
many other credentials in favor of monfieur le chevalier
Du Pleffis, he appears to me to be a perfon worthy of the
notice and encouragement of Congrefs. He has ferved in the
French artillery ; and both his inclination and qualifications
make it proper he fhould have an appointment in ours.
There are fome vacancies in the artillery for captains, one of
which may be offered him as a beginning. The fuperior
ranks are ah completed.
J am, fir, your mqft humble fervant, G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarters^ Morr [flown, April 12, 1777.
I AM honored with yours of the tenth* accompanied
with one from the committee of Congrefs to whom I have
wrote very fully upon the fubjecl: of the .refolve for forming
an army upon the weft iide of Delaware, and to which I
refer
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 55
refer you. — I wifli I could fee any profpe£t of an army, fit
to make proper oppofition, formed any where. You will
perhaps be furprifed at this after the public reports of the
great fuccefs of recruiting in all the ftates ; but, to convince
you that thefe are but bare reports, I will give you the beft
information I have been able to collect from .a&ual returns
-and other accounts.
New-Hampmire. — No returns : but a letter from general
Heath fays they are tolerably forward.-^- All their regiments
go to the northward.
Maffachufetts.-— About four hundred men raifed to a regj«
ment; many of thefe yet to undergo inoculation. Seven of
their regiments go to the northward, and eight are to come to
Peeklkill for the prefent.
Rhode-Ifland.— Only three hundred and fixty men en-
lifted in both regiments the firlt of April, Two hundred of
thefe are yet to be inoculated, — General Varnum writes me
that he defpairs of filling up the regiments.
Connecticut— By a return from general Parfons, of the
fourth of April, about eighteen hundred men were recruited
through the whole ftate, — they, much difperfed ;— -many to
have the fmall-pox ; and recruiting at a ftand,
New-York. — About two hundred men fo a regiment: and,
from the peculiar fituation of that province, it will be almolfc
impoffible for them ,to fill up their regiments though they ex
ert themfelves very much.
New Jerfey. — Between two and three hundred to a regi
ment. They alfo lie under many difficulties on account of
the difafFedtion of their ftate : but their officers are active and
diligent.
Pennfylvania.— Moft of her regiments are very backward,
— thofc molt fo, who have been longed recruiting.
Delaware flate. — No return of their regiment.
Maryland. — I have only the return of one regiment, which
confifts of two hundred men ; but I do not believe the others
aje in more forwardnefs. The difputes about the rank of
E 4 pfficerj
56 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
officers have prevailed fo much, that the recruiting fervice
has been in a manner neglected.
Virginia. — The nine old regiments will not exceed eigh
teen hundred effective men : and governor Henry, in a letter
which I received yefterday, informs me that he did not think
that more than four of the fix new ones would be filled. He
propofes the expediency of raifing volunteer companies to
ferve feven or eight months, to make up t1-«e deficiency . but
this I fhall objedl to on many accounts, particularly that it
would be introducing a body of men who would look upon
themfelves at liberty to do what they pleafed, and, the mo
ment their time expired, would leave us, though at the moft
critical juncture.
If the men that are raifed, few as they are, could be got
into the field, it would be a matter of foine confolation : but
every method that I have been able to devife has proved inef
fectual. If I fend an officer to collect the fick and fcattered
of his regiment, it is ten to one but he neglects his duty, goes
home onpieafure or buiinefs, and the next that I hear of him
is that he has refigned : — furloughs are no more attended to
than if there was no limitation of time : —and in iliort, fir,
there is fuch a total depreffion of that military ardor which
I hoped would have inspired every officer when he found his
pay genteelly augmented and the army put upon a refpect-
able footing, that it feems to me as if all public fpirit was
funk * * *
I fhall as foon as poffible tranfmit to the board of war a
lift of the appointments I have made in confequence of the
powers veiled in me.
If the appointments in the hofpital are not filled up before
the receipt of this, I would take the liberty of mentioning a
gentleman whom I think highly deferving of notice, r.ot only
on account of his abilities, but for the very great affifiance
•which he has afforded in the courfe of this winter, merely in
the nature of a volunteer. The gentleman is doctor John
Cochran, well known to all the faculty, and particularly to
9 doctor
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 5)
doctor ShJppen, who, I fuppofe, lias mentioned him among
the candidates. The place for which the doctor is well fit
ted, and which would be moft agreeable to him, is fircgeon-
general to the middle department. In this line he ferved all
the laft war in the Britifti fcrvice, and has diftinguifhed him-
felf this winter, particularly in his attention to the fmall-pox
patients and the wounded, who, but for him and doctor Bond,
inuft have fuffered much, if not been totally neglected, as
there were no other medical gentlemen to be found. — If the
appointment of furgeon-general is filled up, that of deputy-
director of the middle department would be acceptable,
I have been thus full in my recommendation becaufc doctor
Cochran in a manner had my promife of one of the capital
appointments in the hofpital, upon a prefumption that rl
fhould have had fome hand in the nomination by the refolu-
tion of Congrefs empowering me to till all com millions under
the rank of brigadiers-genera.!.
April 13. — I have this moment received a line from gene
ral Lincoln, informing me that th« enemy attempted to fur-
prile him early this morning at his poll at Boundbrook ; but
he made good his retreat to the pais of the mountains juft in
his rear, with trifling lofs.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morriftown, dpril I $, 1777.
THE inclofed from monfieur le chevalier De Dreud-
homme de Borre, with the papers annexed to it, were receiv
ed this day by the eaftern mail. It appears that by an agree
ment with Mr. Deane he is to have the rank and pay of a
brigadier-general in our fervice. I imagine by this thar he
is a man of real merit. If you think proper to confirm Mr.
Deane s appointment, be pleafed to inform me of it and re
turn the letter, that I may give a fuitable anfwer. If, as I
imagine, he does not underftand Englifh, it will be fome time
before he can be of any ufe at the head of a brigade.
I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W.
5S GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morriftown, April, 18, 1777.
I HAVE nothing of importance to tranfmit Congrefs^
no event in the military line having happened fmce my laft,
except the furprifmg a fmall picquet guard of the enemy on
monday night at Bonemtown, and bringing off thirteen pri-
loners, by one of our parties. An enterprife of a fimilar na
ture was formed againft that at Amboy, in which the party
fetit to e£Fe& it did not fucceed fo well, though the moft ad
vanced of them fezzed and fecured three of their out-centries
without giving an alarm.
By a letter from general M'Dougal, of yefterday, I ara
informed that he had received accounts of thirty-fix fail of
tranfports having left Newport on friday laft, with troops on
board. Other reports he had were that a number of {hips
were coming tip the Sound, fo that we may reafonably con
clude general Howe is drawing his forces from the eaftward.
General Arnold, in a letter of the fixth, mentioned, that, from
the preparation of tranfports, and other circurnftances, he
thought it probable an, embarkation was about to take place.
There are grounds to fufpecl: irom information received,
that feme unfair practices have been and are meant to be ufcd
in certain exports irom Philadelphia. It is faid that a vefTel
navigated by Frenchmen loaded there, belonging to * * *
of New-York, which carried her cargo to general Howe ;
alfo that * * * and * * * of Monmouth-county intend to
load one or more for the fame purpofe, under the idea of
fending them to foreign markets. I have written to the
board of war for Pennfylvania upon the fubje&, and doubt
not but thefe hints will be properly imnfbved, and fuch
frauds guarded againft as well as circumftances will admit.
I have inclofed a copy of an advertifement published in
GaineY paper of the fourteenth, which Ihews that no arti-
fcces are left untried by the enemy to injure us. Before the
appearance of this unparalleled piece, I had heard that a
perfon was gone from York to Rhode-Ifland with a quantity
of counterfeit money,
There
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 59
There is one thing which I beg leave to mention to Con*
grefs, and which I think highly cleferving their attention,
that is, that fupplies of i/Tcl money, or bills of exchange to
procv.re it, ihouid, if polSbfe, he fent to our prifoners in
the hands of the enemy, at lead: to the officers, to relieve
their v, ants. By letters which I have received from them of
late, I imd they are in great dirlrels, and fuch as ought to be
removed, if it can be done. — No inconvenience will refnlt
to the public from fuch fupplies, if they can be furnifhed, as
proper ftoppages and deductions can be made from their pay.
April 19. 1 was honored with your letter of the
lixteciich between twelve and one o'clock yerterday, accom
panied by fundry refolutions. I hope the meafures Congrefs
have adopted will produce thefalutary confequences they had
in view : but I fear that the Mates, unlefs they are delicate in
exercifing the powers they arc inverted with for filling vacan
cies in inftances of removal from office, and pay ftricl: at
tention to a proper line of fucceHion where there are no ca
pital objections, will renew much of that confufion and dif-
order we have been endeavoring to extricate ourfclves
fr:m. Nor will this be of fmall difficulty if they difplacc
r.nny officers : for, fuppofmg them to have kept the moft ac
curate lifts of their original appointments, changes have
to I'en place in feveral imtances from various caufes unknown
to them, and of which they cannot be apprifed.
I can allure Congrefs the appellation given to, the regi
ments officered by me was without my confent or privity.
As loon as I heard it, I wrote to feveral of the officer in
terms of fevere reprehenfion, and exprefsly charged them to
fupprefs the diftinction, adding that all the butallions were
on the fame footing, and all under the general name of
Continental.
An attack upon the king's troops at Rhode-Ifiand was
certainly a deiirable event, could it have been conducted wi^i
fuc<^% or upon equal terms. It being an object of great
moment, and involving in its ififue many important confe-
s, I am led to believe the practicability of it has had
60 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
much confederation, and the meafnre was found to be unad-
vifable under the circumftances of the, troops collected for
the purpofe. If the enemy have not evacuated the ifland, I
fuppofe the matter will be further weighed.
I do not find in the medical arrangement any mention of
regimental furgeons'-rnates, or provifion made for their pay
ment. Whether Congrefs mean to difpenfe with fuch of
ficers or not, I cannot tell : . I have heard that they do : but
they appear to me to be abfolutely necefTary. We are often
obliged to divide regiments and fend a part to a diftant poft :
when this is the cafe, it is efTential that there fhould be fome
perfon with them to take charge of the fick or wounded, if
foch there fhould be. — I have only mentioned this of many
reafons that might be urged to iliew the expediency of fuch
appointments.
Notwithflanding the many circumftances inducing a be
lief that Philadelphia will be the firft obje6l of the enemy's
attention, — yet, as the ftratagems of war are various, and
they may be eafily changed, efpecially when they have the
entire command of the water, — I cannot but confider the de
tention of the troops at Philadelphia, farther than mentioned in
my letter in anfwer to that from the board of \var, as inexpedi
ent, and iubject to great inconvenience and injury. In the
prefent divided, feparated (late of the army, we are weak at
all points, and not able to make the leaft oppolition promif-
ing fuccefs. Suppoiing they were collected here, they would
be ready to act as neceffity and circumftances might require.
If the enemy pufhed for Philadelphia, we ihould have notice
of it, and could hang upon their flank and rear : nor is it like
ly they would undertake fuch an expedition without attempt
ing the deftrudion or difperfion of the army firft. If they
embarked and ihould go by fea, we (hould have information
of it, and cauld be there in time. On the other hand, fhould
all they have done prove a feint, and they fliould turn their
views to the North-river, we fhould be in a much better ii-
tuation to counfera6t their defigns, and to check the progrefs
of their arms in that quarter. Added to this, feveral of the
regiments,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 61
regiments, efpecially thofe which came firfl from Virginia
and Pennsylvania, are fo broken that it is impoffible to do
any thing with the parts that are here ; and that fpirit which
is always derived from a corps being full, or as much fo as
circumftances of number will admit of, is entirely done away*
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Morrijtown, April 21, 1777.
I was this morning honored with your favor of the
twentieth, inclofmg fundry proceedings of Congrefs. — The
removal of provilions, &c, from the communication be
tween Brunfwic and Trenton has been pretty well efFeclied
already. It was an obje6l early attended to, and what I re
commended to the aflembly of this ftate as deferving their in-
terpofition and aid: but, finding that it had not their imme
diate confideration, and that they feemed to decline interfer
ing in the matter, I directed the quarter-matters and com-
mirTaries to purchafe their firft fupplies of thofe neceffaries
from fuch places as appeared to be moft expofed to the ene
my's incurfions, and through which it is moft probable they
will take their route towards the Delaware, in cafe an enter-
prife that way fhould be in contemplation. 1 have tranfmit-
ted copies of the refolve upon this fubject to general Putnam
and colonel Forman (the latter of whom is in Momnouih-
county), with orders to execute the fame agreeable to the di
rections therein prescribed, where it may be necelTary on the,
road leading from South- Amboy acrofs the country.
I have nothing of importance to communicate to'Congrefs.
The advices they will receive to-day, which pafled through
this fown yefterday, will tell them that the enemy remained
at Pvhode-I Hand on the fifteenth inftant, notwithftanding the
accounts we had received of their embarkation before.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.
te GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Head- Quarters, Morrljlown, April 2 3 , 1 7 7 7 *
I HAVE the honor to tranfmit you the inclofed pieces
of intelligence which I received this day from general Ste
phens, who by my defire employed perfons to go into New-
York and Brunfwic. I do not put entire confidence in the
whole : but the principal reafon of fending the intelligence
forward is that proper meafures may be fallen tipon to find
out and apprehend Thomas * * * mentioned in general
Siephens's letter of this date.
If the enemy mould move, I have taken fteps to make as
good an opposition as my fraall lorce is capable of.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W*
SIR, Mornftown) April 26, 1777.
I WAS laft 'night honored with your letter of the
twenty-fifth, with fundry refolves of Congrefs. Such of them
as are neceffary for my government and conduct I fhaH
ftri&ly attend to.
The money and bills for our prifoners had better be tranf-
mitted to Elias Boudinot, efquirc, to whom I mail give direc^
tions to adopt ways and means for fending the fame, and for
a proper appropriation and distribution of the money amongft
them. Bills, 1 think, will be moit eligible, provided they
are duly paid. As to procuring clothes in New-York, J have
reafon to believe that it will not be allo\ved, and ihat the pn-
ioners will obtain no fupplies but what we fend them.
1 heard of Mr. Franklin's practices fume time ago, and ad-
vjfed governor Trumbull of the fame, that his coniiuft might
be properly attended to. It is very unhuj -pv for L:,S, diat,
through the intrigues of fuch men, the cnemv have ibund
means to raife a ipirit of diiuffedion but tcu ^cn.rallv in ma
ny of the fbtes. In this, I have ftrong aHL: -.\ncc-s thai, it has
urih-n to a great height; and I (hall no: be difapptlnired if
$. Lirge number of the inhabitant in fome of the couiitic-s
ihould
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 63
fliould openly appear in arms as foon as the enemy begin
their operations. I have taken every nieafure in my power
to fupprefs it ; but neverthelefs feveral from Suflex and Ber*
gen have joined their army, and the fpirit becomes more and
more daring every day.
You will be pleafed to direct general Mifflin to remain in
Philadelphia as long asCongrefs ihall think his prefence there
eflential.
I have inclofed a copy of general Howe's letter which I
received lafl night in anfwer to mine of the ninth inftant.
Nothing of an interefting nature has occurred fince my laft j
•which leaves me only to add, that I have the honor to be,
with fentirnents of the greatefl refpecl:, &c. G. W.
SiR, Morrift<nvn> April 28, 1777.
I LAST night received the favor of your letter of the
twenty-fixth, with the refolves to which it alludes.
The views of Congrefs, in fending general officers to the
eaftward to haflen on the troops, have been long anticipated .
general Poor is in New-Hampfhire for the purpofe, — general
Heath in Maflachufetts-Bay, with the brigadiers Nixon, Glo
ver and Patterfon, — general Vainum in Rhode-Ifland, and
general Parfons in Connecticut. Generals Spencer and Ar
nold too have been defired to attend to the bufmefs. To thefe
gentlemen I have wrote repeatedly in the moft preffing term*
upon the fubje£t, and I have no reafon to doubt but every
exertion on their part has been employed to promote the end.
The delay of thofe who have eulifted has arifen from the late
period when they engaged, and from their being inocukited?
fince, which could not be difpenfed with, without fubjecling
them to the calamities and ravage of the fmall-pox in the na
tural way.
At three o'clock this morning I received a letter from ge
neral M'Dougal inclofmg three from colonel Huntington,
copes of dje whole of which I have tranfmitted. By rhrfe
8 70*
64 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
you will perceive the impreHion which a part of general
Howe's army has made Into Connecticut, and the profpe6t
they had of cieilroying fuch of our (lores as were depofited in
Danbury, which unfortunately were but too large and con-
fiderable, if the event has taken place. A circumflance, per
haps more to be regretted, is that the enemy marched through -
a Strong and rough country, and were near that place, with
out the fmalleft opposition. I have no other information up
on the Subject than what thefe papers contain : but we have
little ground to expect that they have not accomplished their
purpofe. Further intelligence will be probably received to
day or to-morrow, when I Shall be happy to hear that they
have paid for their enterprise. Of this, I confeis however,
I am not very Sanguine in my expectations.
This poft had been considered as a proper depofitory for
{lores, by gentlemen acquainted with it ; and its Security not
thought questionable whilft troops were paffing through it.
I had alSo directed ch: t as many of the draughts in Connedticut
as the place was capable of accommodating, Should be collect
ed there and inoculated, to anfwer the purpofe of a guard,
hoping, by the time of their recovery, that the Situation of the
army would be fuch as to admit a Strong one to be Sta
tioned there and continued : but, unhappily for us, fuch lan
guor andfupinenefs prevails everywhere, that we feem una
ble to effect any point we wilh, though never fo important
and intereiiing. So early as the Sixth of March, I wrcte to
governor Trumbuil, earneftly requeuing two thoufaud mili
tia to be fent to general M'Dougal to be employed at Peeks-
kill and on the communication in Weil-Chefler county for
fix weeks. With this requiiition he mofi: readily complied
Jo far as his orders were ncceffary, and (I am certain) ais in
fluence would extend. This I have repeated, and this iup-
ply he has exerted hrmfelf to furnilli : yetfo ineffectual have
his endeavors been, that not more Jian eight hundred had
come out, by general iM'Dougal's return on the feventeenth
inllant ; nor did he expecl nic-ic, from the accounts he had.
- In
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 65
In a word, fir, no expedient or pains have been un-attempted
by me to bring on troops, and to keep our affairs on a fa-
yorable footing.
I would again mention the cafe of our prisoners with the
enemy, and pray that the fecret committee would fend to Mr.
Boudinot fupplies of money for them as early as poflible.
They are in great diftrefs, and many officers have lately ef-
caped, contrary to the tenor of their parole ; fome of whom
are now here, urging that neceflity compelled them to the
meafure. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Morriftown, April 30, 1777, half after 8 o'clock, P. M.
SIR,
I HAVE been waiting with much anxiety to hear
the refult of the expedition agaiufl Danbury, which I nevef
was informed of till this minute; The inclofed copy of a
letter from general M'Dougal, and of feveral others which
he tranfmitted, will give Congrefs all the intelligence I have
upon the fubje6t. I have only to add and to lament that this
enterprife has been attended with but too much fucceis on the
part of the enemy. —I have the honor to be, &c. G. W*
SlR, MorrlflowYi) May 3, 1777.
I WAS yefterday honored with your letter of the
twenty-ninth ultimo, inclofing fundry refolves.— ^Agreeable
to the directions of Congrefs, I have written to the ftates of
New-Hampihire and Maffachufetts, and urged them to com
plete and forward their troops deftined for Tieonderoga, with
all poffible expedition. The brigadiers gone there for the
prefent are Fermoy, Poor, Patterfon, and Learned. Nixon
and Glover were alfo intended for that pofl under my firft
plan, which was, that all the regiments, to be raifed in thofe
flates by the refolve in September, (hould compofe that army.
But having by the advice of rny officers directed the route of
V»L. II, F eight
66 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
eight regiments from the latter to Pcekfkill, to wait till thtf
defigns of general: Howe were unfolded, fhefe two officers
were to follow them. — I did not particularife the brigadiers
who were to go rlrft, or the regiments ; hut left the matter
to' major-general Heath, who was inftructed in general terms
to purfue fuch meafures as feemed molt likely to promote
the fervice.
The colonels appointed to the New-Hampfhire regiments
I never knew. Thofe ordered to Ticonderoga from Maffa-
chufetts by general Heath, 'and who I prefume have march
ed, were Bailey, Weflbn, Jackfon, Marfhall, Brewer, Brad
ford, and Francis. What proportions of their regiments
have marched, I cannot afcertain : but I am perfuaded they
were detached r^s fad as they were raifed, and circumitances
would admit. Francis's, the firit of April, was returned five
hundred ftrong ; and, bv a letter from colonel Marfhall about
the fifteenth of laft month, he expected to march in a day or
two with the laft divifion of his regiment that was ready,
which would make about four hundred, including thofe who
had gone. The remainder (about fixty) were to follow
with the proper officers as foon as they were fit,— they hav^
ing been inoculated.
I have- written to generals M'Dougal and Clinton to have
the provifion removed from Derby, &c, and directed that
they mould point out proper places for its reception in Ul-
fter ; alfo that fmall works and guards of militia will be ef-
fential for its protection. * * *
The datirige we fuftained at Danbury, nor the cnemyrs
lofs, have not been tranfrakted with any accuracy : but,
from the lateft accounts from thence, the former was not fa
great, and the latter more confiderable, than was apprehend-
•cd at firft.
I congratulate Congrefs upon the fortunate arrival of the
Amphitrite with military and ordnance (lores : — it is an
important event. That of the French fhip at Bofton, and of
fioop from Martinique, added to the capture of the two
proviiion
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 67
provifion {hips, are to be regarded as interefling too. I would
here take the liberty to mention that I think all the military and
ordnance {lores ihould be moved without a moment's delay to
Springfield or fome interior part of the country* Springfield
fliould be the place, becaufe the elaboratory is there, and they
xvill be more convenient to life as exigencies require. In
their prefent fituation their fecurity is queflionable ; and, if
an attack ihould be made in the eaitern quarter, their lofs is
much to be apprehended. Before I quit this fubjecl:, I would
beg leave to obfcrve alfo that the difpofal and direction of
military {lores mould be only with one body or with one
perfon. At prefent this power is exercifed through fo many
channels, that much confulion is introduced ; and it cannot
be avoided : nor will it be pofiible that matters in this line
fhould be conduced with any degree of propriety, unlefs
Congrefs Come into fome regulations refpe&ing them. The
inclofed extract of a letter from general Heath will prove the
expediency. Many other inflances might be mentioned 9
were it neceJGTary.
The defertions from our army of late have been very con-
fiderable. General Howe's proclamation, and the bounty
allowed to thofe who carry in their arms, have had an unhap*
py influence on too many of the foldiery ; in a particular
manner on thofe who are not natives. * * *
I could wifli fome means could be devifed to caufe more
frequent defertions of [the enemy's} troops* Congrefs may
think of fome expedient : a larger bounty might have fome
effect, and money to the foreigners in lieu of land. The
bounty, given by general Howe to thofe who carry in arms,
is fixteen dollars as we are told, though his proclamation only
expreffes that they fhall have the full value. To the inhabit
ants who will take up arms and join him, he promifes land.
I have the honor to be, £tc, G. W.
SIR,
68 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Morriftown) May 5> I777*
I WAS this morning honored with your letter of the
third inftant, with its rnclofures. — General Arnold's promo
tion gives me much pleafure. He has certainly difcovered,
in every inftance where he has had an opportunity, much
biavery, a6tivity, and enterprife. But what will be done
about his rank ? — he will not a6t moft probably under thofe
he commanded but a few weeks ago.
Itruft the appointment of Mr. Ludwrck as fuperintendant
of bakers will have the falulary confequences you mention :
I have been long aflured that many abufes have been com
mitted for want of fome proper regulations in that depart
ment.
By major Troop, one of general Gates's aides, and who
left Albany on tuefday laft, I am informed the accounts of
general Carleton's approach towards Ticonderoga were pre
mature. He fays general Gates received a letter before he
came away, from brigadier-general Wayne, of the twenty-
fourth ultimo, in which he mentioned nothing of it ; — that
three thoufand troops had arrived there, all in high fpirits
and health, except nine ; — and that that poft could never be
carried without the lofs of much blood. The proceedings of
Congrefs and your letter of the twenty-ninth ultimo were the
firft and only information I had of Mr. Carleton's being on
the lake, having heard nothing upon the fubject from gene
ral Gates or any other perfon.
In my laft I mentioned that fixteen dollars bounty were
given by general Howe to deferters with arms. I have rea-
fon to believe from 'information received fmce, and which
feems to be generally credited, that he has advanced the boun
ty to twenty-four dollars.
It is much to be wifhed that our printers were more difcreet
i$ many of their publications. We fee, almoft in every paper,
proclamations or accounts tranfmitte4 by the enemy, of an
injurious
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 69
injurious nature. If fome hint or caution could be given
them on the fubjeft, it might be of material fervice.
By a perfon who has juft arrived here, it is reported that
general Woofter is dead of his wounds.
I would mention to Congrefs that in a day or two our
military cheft will be exhaufted. I beg that a fupply may
be forwarded as foon as pofli ble : if there ihould be a failure,
we fhall have many things to apprehend.
I have the honor to be, £tc. G. W.
I have inclofed a lift of (lores loft at Danbury. You will
alfo receive a New-York paper, by which you will fee the
enemy's account of that affair, and how little they have re
garded a true ftate. We are told certainly they had forty-
feven men killed : and, from the accounts that have bee,n re
ceived, I think it may be fairly concluded that their lofs was
jnuch more confiderable than they make it.
SIR, Morriftown, May 9, 1777.
THIS will be delivered you by colonel Conway,
an Irifh gentleman in the fervice of France, who came paf-
fenger in the Amphitrite, and was introduced to me yefter-
day by a letter from Mr. Deane and one from general Heath,
copies of which are tranfmitted.
This gentleman waits on Congrefs to obtain an appoint
ment in the army of the ftates, and, from Mr. Deane's re
commendation, is an officer of merit. He fays no particular
command was agreed on between him and Mr. Deane ; nor
does he wifh otherwife than that Congrefs fliould exercife
j-heir own difcretion ; at the fame time he obferves that it will
be mortifying to him to hold a rank under that of meifieurs
De Fermoy and De Borre, who were inferior officers in
their own fervice, and fubject to his command. — He can
give the character of feveral of the officers who were paflen-
gers with him.
I cannot pretend to fpeak of colonel Conway?s merits or
F 3 abilities?
70 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
abilities, of my own knowledge, having had but little opportu
nity to be acquainted with him. From what I can difrover, he
appears to be a man of candor ; and if he has been in fervice
as long as he fays he has, I fhould fuppofe him infinitely better
qualified to ferve us, than many who have been promoted,
as he fpeaks our language. He feems extremely anxious to
return to camp, as the campaign may be expedted to become
active every day ; and wrimes Congrefs to determine what'
ever command they may think, proper to honor him with, as
foon as they iliall think it expedient.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrijlovun, May 9, 1777.
THE inclofed is copy of a letter which was hand
ed to me by monfieur Mottin de la Balme, from Silas Deane,
efquire. For a more particular account of his merit and
fervices, I muft refer you to hirrjfelf, I have founded him
as to his expectations, and find that nothing under a lieu
tenant-colonelcy of horfe will content him. If you ihould,
from his own account, or from what you can collecl: from
others, think proper to confer this rank upon him, there is no
vacancy in any other corps except that of colonel Sheldon.
J am afraid we (hall never be able to find places vacant,
equal to the expectations of the French gentlemen who are
now here, much lefs for thofe that will follow. The high
rank conferred upon thofe who firft came over, many of
whom had no pretenlions eirher from their fervices or me^
rit, has naturally raifed the expectations of thofe who come
properly recommended, to fuch a pitch, that I know not
what will fatjsfy them, Indeed it is not to be imagined
that a gentleman and an old foldier can fubmit to be com
manded by a perfon in this country, whom he remembers
to have been his inferior in France. I know not how we
•can remedy this evil, or put a ftop to the growth of it, but
by
^OFFICIAL LETTERS. 71
fey being very circumfpect for the future, on whom we confer
rank above that of a fubaltern.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Morrijlown, May 10, 1777.
SINCE I had the honor of addrerTmg you on the
fifth inftant, nothing material has occurred.
Inciofed you will be pleafed to receive a general return of
our forces in Jerfey, the fixth inftant, which is the fir ft I
have been able to obtain with any degree of accuracy.
I have not heard from general De Haas fince his promo
tion. As foon as I was informed of it, I wrote and requeft-
ed him to repair to camp : but, having received no anfwer, I
am apprehenfive my letter iniicarried. I wiili Congrefs to
give him notice of his appointment, and directions to join
the army, if he accepts his commiflion and is not prevented
by indiipoiition.
Tarough the board of war I have been favored with a
copy of general Gates's litter of the twenty-ninth ultimo.
Hudfon's-river and the paries in the Highlands I always con-
iidered as objects of great importance, and accordingly have
provided for their fecurity in the bed manner my judgment
could direct, and the circumftances of the army admit. If they
are leis fecure than we wifh them to be, it is owing to our
inability and not to inattention. I have written to general
M'Dougal, and will do it again, to employ much of his care
upon this fubjecl. War, in theory, and the modes of de
fence, are obvious and eafy; but, in practice, they are
more difficult. Unhappily for us, the means in our power
do not always accoid with our willies or what would be our
intereft to purfue*
As yet none of the eaflern troops have pafTed the North-
river, except two fmall detachments from Connecticut and
Rhode-liland, amounting to about two hundred and feventy,
which miffed my orders till they had got over. Tiiefe Ifhall
F 4 fend
7* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fend back after we are more reinforced, unlefs the move
ments of the enemy in this quarter make their detention ne-
cefTary. The reft of the eaftern troops which have marched
(except the feven regiments from MafTachufetts and three
from New -Hampshire, ordered immediately to Ticondero-
ga) are at and on their way to Peekfkiii, as mentioned in my
letter of the third, — where they are to remain with all tiie
York troops except Vanfchaick's and Ganfevoort's now at
the northward, till general Howe's defigns and intended oper
ations are better underftood. This difpofition appearing to
me and my general officers the beft that could be made in
our (late of uncertainty, was adopted. The two troops of
horfe, recommended by Congrefs to be fent to general Gates,
fhali go as foon ascircumfrances will admit. At prefent we have
not more than are conftairly employed at the different pofts.
General Heath, in a letter of the thirtieth ultimo, mention?
that the military cheft at the eafhvard is exhaufted, and that
a fuppiy will be wanted much to defray the expenfes which
wii: arife on the removal of the military and ordnance ftores
to Springfield. He fays Mr. Hancock was to write upon
the fubjecr., and requeited I would alfp mention it to Con
grefs in my firft letter.
Accounts have been frequently exhibited of late by the of
ficers, refpedting fubfiitence whilft recruiting and on their
march. As I do not recollect the provifion Congrefs have
made in fuch cafes, I wi'fli to be informed, and to be favor
ed with a copy of their feveral refolves upon thefubjecl:.
A confideration of the return tranfmitted, and of the fe
veral detachments that have joined, and which form it, will
fhew Congrefs what our fituation has been.
I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W.
MorriJlQwn, May 12, 1777.
THIS will be delivered you by general Arnold who
arrived here to-day in his way to Philadelphia. He feerns
to
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 73
<o be anxious to fettle his public accounts which are of con-
fiderable amount, and waits on Gongrefs, hoping they will
appoint a committee of their body, or of fuch gentlemen as
they {hall judge proper, to take the matter into confederation.
This he confiders the more neceflary, as he has heard ibrae
reports have been propagated, injurious to his character as a
man of integrity. If any fuch afperfioixs lie againft him, it is
but reaibnable that he fhouid have an opportunity of vindi
cating himielf and evincing his innocence.
I find he does not confider the promotion Gongrefs have
been pleafed to confer upon him fufficient to obviate the neglect
ariiing from their having omitted him in their late appoint*
ments of major-generals. He obferves it does not give him
the rank he had a claim to from feniority in the line of bri
gadiers, and that he is fubjedt to be commanded by thofe
•who had been inferior to him. He further adds, that Con-
grefs, in their laft refolve refpecling him, have acknowledg
ed him competent to the ilation of major-general, and there
fore have done away every objection implied by their former
omiffion. Thefe confederations are not without their weight,
though I pretend not to judge what motives may have influenced
the conduct of Congrefs upon this occaiion. It is needlefs to fay
any thing of this gentleman's military character : it is uni-
verfally known that he has always diftinguiflied himfelf as a
judicious, brave officer, of great activity, enterprile and
perfeverance,— I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Morrijlcwn, May T2, *777«
I WAS this morning honored with your letter of tne
tenth inftant, accompanied by the proceedings of Gongrefs
pf the day before.
The conduct of too many officers in withholding the pay
of their foldiers, I am perfuaded, is repreheniible, and has
been the caufe of uneafmefs and of many deiertions. Every*
ineafure in my power will be .exerted to prevent fuch abufes
in
74 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
in future, and every aid given to puniih the offenders in an
exemplary manner. But Congreis will excufe me when I
tell them it will be impoffible to comply with their recom
mendation upon this fubje&, unlefs the general officers
withdraw their attention from matters of the utmoft impor
tance, and fuch as require their conftant care. Were this
not the cafe, the difperfed fituation of the officers at this time
through the different Hates on the recruiting fervice would
prohibit the inquiry. Nor do I apprehend the regulations
empowering and enjoining the regimental paymafters to bring
them to an account will be found competent to the end. Such
officers will be proper to ftate the accounts in the firir. in-
ilance, and to receive vouchers, &c, but will not do to fettle
them finally, as their connexions with the regiments will fab-
je6l them much to the influence of the officers.
I fhoulcl fuppofe, if two or three gentlemen of integrity,
and of ability in accounts, were appointed auditors to attend
the army till the bufmefs is fmiihed, it would be the bell ex
pedient that could be fallen on. They would-be a check on
the paymafters, and, I am perfuaded, will be the means of
the accounts being fairly and juftly liquidated. If a fettle-
inent can be once obtained, I truft the fame confuiion will
never take place again, as the paymafters will receive and pay
all money due to the regiments, and account for it, and -as
the army is on a more permanent footing than it ever was
before : for this, like moil other inconveniences and diffi
culties which we have experienced, is to be imputed in a
great mcafure to ihort enliftments and the frequent diffolu-
tion of our troops.
A return of the army in Jcrfey, as late as the fixth inflant,
I tranfmitted yefterday morning in a letter by Mr. Randolph
.of Chefnut-ltreet, which you will probably receive to-day,
and from which Congrefs will be able to determine the expe
diency of calling out the militia from Delaware and Pennfyl-
vania. Though it gives me p.ain that we ihould be under the
neceiTity of recurring to fuch a meafure, yet 1 fhould fup
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 75
pofe it to be advifable. Our army is weak, and by no
means equal to that of the enemy ; and, till their defigns are
known and we arc more reinforced with regular troops, we
flioulu be prepared in the beft manner we can. I would ob-
ferve, if the militia are called out, it mould be for a fixed
determinate time ; for, though they will certainly return
when that expires, yet that is more tolerable than for them
*<) <;o off in parties every day as their wrhim and caprice fug
ged, — which has always been the cafe when the time was not
flated. I would alto obferve, if it is poffible, they fhould
be engaged to march out of their ftates if ordered. If their
fei vice is located, they will move with great rel u&ance, if
they do at all.
On faturday a fmart fkirmim happened with a detachment
of our tro.ops who attacked a number of the enemy near
Pifcatawa, in which our men behaved well, and obliged the
enemy to give way twice (as reported to me) with lofs. The
enemy receiving a ftrong reinforcement, our people retreated
to their pott. — I cannot give the particulars, as they have not
been fufficiently afcertained. Their piquets w^ere alfo attack
ed yefterday by fome of our parties from Boundbrook, and
forced within their lines.
I have the honor to be, Sec. Q. Wf
SiR, Mornjiown, May 16, 1777*.
YOUR letter of the fifteenth I had the honor to receive
laft night at eleven o'clock. — The commiflion inclofed for
monfieur Armand I (hall deliver him as foon as I fee him.— r
Agreeable to your requeft, I will give commiffions to the
brigadiers, and will afcertain their rank by their original
commimons when I obtain them. — The inquir directed, re-»
fpecling major Campbell, mall be made, and that be done
which mall appear right.
I fear it will be hardly poffible to fatisfy the views and
claims of fome of the French gentlemen. The late promo*
tion
?6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tion of monficur Malrnady, though highly honorable, and
fuch as ftiould be conddered fully if not more than adequate
to his preteniions taken upon any principle, does not come
tip to his demands. He arrived here yefterday morning, and
has been writing to me upon the fubjec~K From the high
inarks of difliriclion but too readily conferred upon thefe men
In many inilances, they feem to have loft fight of what is
jiift and reafonable. It would have been happy for us, par
ticularly for me and for the 'gentlemen themfelves, if a too
eafy grant of favors had not induced them to contemn all
rank in our army under that of field-officers :— nor is it in
my power to give commands to every appointment. I ihall
inform monfienr Armand (and reconcile him to it in the heft
manner I can) that there is no vacancy for him at prefent :
and I would beg leave to fuggeft, that, where promotions
are made in future from political and honorary motives, it
would be well for Congrefs to explain to the gentlemen that
it may be fome time before they can be put in actual com
mand. This might prevent their entertaining fufpicions of
negle& en my part, which the fituation of the army will not
allow me to obviate. There is no vacancy for moniieur
Malmady, of the rank he now holds, unlefs the merits of
many other officers, who have ferved with reputation and
much longer here, are to be overlooked' to make way for
him. — Such a meafure will neither be practicable, nor pru
dent to attempt.
By a letter from general Heard who is at Pompton, I am
informed that colonels Barton and Bufkirk with three hun
dred tory levies from Bergen, on the morning of the thir
teenth, attempted to furprife and cut off about feventy of his
militia Rationed at Pyramus. The officer happily had no
tice of their defign, and eluded it by moving his pofh It
happened that the morning was foggy ; and the enemy enter
ing at different places, their parties engaged. General Heard
fays their lois could not be afcertained : but, from the reports
of
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 77
of the inhabitants, ten of their men were killed and carried
away at one time, and feveral wounded,
I have the honor to be, &c. G.
SIR, Morrijiown, May 21, 1777*
INCLOSED I have the honor to tranfmk you a
general return of the forces in Jerfey. It it regimentally di-
gefted, and will {hew the ftrength of each corps. T fhouki
not have fent it fo particularly made out, had I not conceiv
ed the conveyance by which it goes from hence entirely fe-
cure. — I have nothing material to add refpeeHng. the enemy.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W*
P. S. I need not fugged to Congrefs the neceflk-y of keep
ing our numbers concealed from the knowledge of the public.
Nothing but a good face and falfe appearances has enabled
us hitherto to deceive the enemy refpe&ing our ilrength.
SlR, Morrljlown^ May 24, 1777.
I BEG leave to inform Congrefs, that, immediately
after the receipt of their refolve of the twenty-fixth of March,
recommending the office of adjutant-general to be filled by the
appointment of a perfon of abilities and unfufpe6ted attachment
to our caufe, I wrote to colonel Timothy Pickering of Salem,
offering him the poft in the firft inftance, and tranfmitting
at the fame time a letter for colonel William Lee whom
Congrefs had been pleafed to mention, to be delivered him
in cafe my offer could not be accepted. This conduct*
in preference of colonel Pickering, I was induced to adopt
from the high character I had of him, both as a great mili
tary genius cultivated by an induftrious attention to the
ftudy of war, and as a gentleman of liberal education, dif-
tinguimed zeal, and great method and activity in bufmefs.
This character of him I had from gentlemen of di{lin6lion
and merit, and on whofc judgment I could rely.
When
78 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
When my letter reached colonel Pickering, at firft view
he thought his fituation in refpecl to public affairs would
Hot permit him to accept the pofL That for colonel Lee
fie fent immediately to him, who, in confequence of it, re
paired to head-quarters. By colonel Lee I received a letter
from colonel Pickering, dating more particularly the caufes
which prevented him accepting the office when it was offer-*
cd, and affuring me that he would in a little time accommo
date his affairs in fuch a manner as to come Into any mi-*
litary poft in which he might be ferviceable, and thought
equal to.
Here I am to mark with peculiar fatisfa£Hon, in juftice to
colonel Lee who has defervedly acquired the reputation of a
good officer, that he expreffed a diftruft of his abilities to fill
the appointment intended for him ; and, on hearing that colo
nel Pickering would accept it, he not only offered but wiihed
to relinquim his claim to it in favor of him, whom he declar
ed he confulered, from a very intimate and friendly acquaint
ance, as a firft military character; and that he knew no gen
tleman better or fo well qualified for the poft among us. — »
Matters being thus circumftanced, and colonel Lee pleafed
with the command he was in, I wrote to colonel Pickering
on his return, who accepted the office, and is daily ex*
peeled.
In this bufmefs I beg Congrefs to be affuredj though colo
nel Lee was poftponecl in the firft inftance, their recom
mendation had its due weight ; and that no motive, other
than a regard to the fervice, induced me to prefer colonel
Pickering. His acknowledged abilities and equal peal, — •
without derogating from the merits of colonel Lee- who,
holds a high place in my eftcem, — gave him a preference j
and I flatter myfelf the cauie will be promoted in his ap*
pointment, cfpccially as we ihall have two good officers in
lieu of one, who, I am perfuaded, will do honor to them-
felves in the line in which they move.
Coafidering the pafTes through the Highlands of the ut-
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 79
inoft importance to fecure, I fent generals Greene and Knox
about a fortnight ago to fee what had been done for their
defence, and to confv.lt with the general officers they fhouhl
meet, upon fuch further meafures as might be deemed necef-
fary for their greater fufety. The inclofed copy of their re
port will fully convey their fentiments upon the fubje6l ; to
which I beg leave to refer Conerefs. — I have fent general
Putnam to command in that quarter, and have inftrudled
him to ufe every pofTible means in his power for expediting
and effecting the works and obftru&ions mentioned in the
report. Fearing that the cables might not be procured in time,
1 have directed his particular and immediate attention to fix
ing the boom. However, as the cables would render that
more fecure, and will be extremely ferviceable in the opinion
of the officers, — if they are to be had in Philadelphia, I
would advife Congrefs to order them to be purchafed and
forwarded without lois of time : — they cannot be got elfc-
where. They rnuft be proportioned to. the width of the
river, which is about rive hundred and forty yards j and, as
they will be of moft ufe if diagonally laid, the gentlemen
think they fhould not be lefs than four hundred and fifty fa
thoms long, and of the largeft fize that can be had. Unlefs
they are large and fubftantial, they will anfwer no purpofe,
and will not fuftain tiieir weight when ftretched.
1 (hould be glad to know whether it be the intention of
Congrefs thut one of the already-appointed general officers may
be ailigned to the command of the light-horfe, or whether
they have in contemplation tiie appointing of one for this
purpofe : — if the firft, I (hall immediately name one to that
duty ; — if the fecond, they will be pieafed to chufe one, as it
is time we ihould have our arrangements complete.
I have nothing of importance to communicate, unlefs it is
that feventeen fhips are faid to have arrived at New-York
on the twenty-iecond, and that others were in the offing.
A report has alfo prevailed, and lias come through two or
three channels, that governor Tiyon (that was) is dead ot the
Wound he received in the Danbury expedition: and one ac-
, sount
So GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
count is that lieutenant-colonel Wakot fell in the engage*
ment at Riclgeneld. I do not know how far the fadts ar6
to be depended on: — it feems certain that Mr. Try on was'
wounded.— ^1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. As I do not know what particular purpofes Con-
grefs had in view when they ordered colonel Harrifon's re
giment of artillery to be raifed, I do not think myfelf at li
berty to give any directions about it : but if they have no
certain employment for it in view, I could wifh them to order
the whole, orfuch part of.it as they ihall judge proper, to join
this army, as we are in great want of more artillery-men
than we have — It will not be neceflary that the artillery
fhould come.
SIR, Morn/town, May 28, 1777.
THE inclofed is a copy of a letter received yefterday
from general Howe. Congrefs will perceive^ by referring to
the copy of his letter of the twenty -nrft of April tranfmitted
in mine of the twenty-fixth,- that he perfevered in his demand
for an equal number of prifoners to be returned for thof«
fent out by him ; which has been the fubjecl; of controverfy
between us. As general Ho-we has called upon me again
for my final dechion upon the fubjecl, arid Congrefs are
fully poifefled of it, having received tramcripts of every
paper refpeding it, — I with them to take the matter under
their earliefc coniideration, and to inform me as foon as they
can, whether the grounds on which it has been conducted by
me are agreeable to their ideas, and whether my objections
are or are not to be departed from. The affair is particularly
flatcd in my letter of the ninth ultimo to general Howe, in
anfwer to the paper addreffed to me by lieutenant-colonel
Walcot ; copies of which were incloied in my letter to the
prcfident on the tenth of the fame month. The diipute, fo
far as general Lee is concerned, refts at prefent on their de
claring him exchangeable, as other prifoners are, on the
principle of equality of rank ; to enfure which, or his fafety,
*7 lieutenant-
OFFICIALLETtERS. Sr
lieutenant-colonel Campbell and the Heflian field-officers are
detained. The other objection to returning their prifoners is,
that a great proportion of thofe fent out by them were not fit
fubje6ls of exchange when releafed, and were made fo by
the feverity of their treatment and confinement, and there-*
fore a deduction mould be made from the lift*
Good faith feems to require that we ftiould return as many
of theirs at leail as we received effectives from them, — I mean
fuch as could be confidered capable of being exchanged ; and
perhaps found policy, that the agreement fubfifting for ex*
changes mould continue. On the other hand it may be faid
that our prifoners in general, in the enemy's hands at prefenf,
will have greater fecurity by our retaining them, and that ge
neral Howe will be lefs apt to relinquifh any part of his claim,
the more the number in our hands is diminished by an ex
change.
Iconfefs I am under great difficulty in this bufinefs. But
what is more particularly the caufe of this application is the
latter part of the firft paragraph of the inclofed copy, — "and
for your determination refpeftlng the prifoners now here, that
I may make my arrangements accordingly.'*— This is couched
in terms of great ambiguity ; and I am really at a lofs what
interpretation to give it, — whether he intends that his con-
duel: refpeding them (hall be as I advife— (this appears more
favorable than can well be expected),— or that, if rhe previ
ous demand is not anfwered in a fatisfa£tory manner, he
fliall confider them on a different footing from that on which
our former prifoners were, and the agreement totally dif-
folved. We are told government offered the prifoners they
took to the India company, and they have procured an a6t
difpenfmg with that of the habeas-corpus in particular
cafes of perfons fuppofed inimical to them, &c. How far
they or their commanders may adopt thefe meafures, remain®
to be known : — I have only mentioned them as they refpe6t
the general fubjeft of my letter.
Notwithilanding my recommendation agreeable to what I
VOL. II. G conceived
82 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
conceived to be the fenfe of Congrefs, Heutenant-colone
Campbell's treatment continues to be fucli as cannot be juf-
tified either on the principles of generofity, or Hri£t retalia
tion ; as I have authentic information, and I doubt not you will
have the fame, that general Lee's iituation is far from being
rigorous or uncomfortable : — except his not being permit
ted to go at large on parole, he has reafon to be content
with every other circumftance of his treatment,
I am juft moving to Boundbrook, from whence I re
turned yefterday morning. On monday morning a body
of the enemy advanced near that poft. They retreated, on
feeing a detachment march to meet them. There was fomc
firing at long /hot, but without any great damage. We had
only three men {lightly wounded. What their lofs was, I
know not: three of their light-horfe were killed. — By advices
from the eatlward, the troops are coming from Rhode- Ifland.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Middlebrook* May •• 29, 1777.
I THIS morning had the honor of your letter of the
twenty-feventh, with its inclofures.— -I ihall pay the ftri&eft
attention to the refolutions tranfmitted me ; however, I am
not without apprehenfions that the regulation lately adopted,
refpe&ing chaplains, will not anfwer. I recollect, when one
was afligned in the courfe of laft year to two regiments, the
prevailing opinion was, — and that founded on a variety of rea-
fons, — that it would not do ; and the old mode of appoint
ment was introduced again.
General Schuyler's propofal for railing one or two troops
of horfe, I think a good one. I intended to write to him
upon the fubjedl: before the receipt of your favor, and flial.l
do it by the firft opportunity.
I arrived here yefterday evening : nothing of importance
has occurred fmce ; and I have nothing further to add, than
that I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. $3
SlR, Head- Qua rters, Middlebrook Camp, May 31, 17/7.
SINCE I did myfelf the honor to write to you the
twenty- ninth, I have received the inclofed intelligence. As
it comes from a peribri of veracity, and one who is much in
the confidence of the enemy, I have no doubt as to the fact
of the two brigades having come over from New-York to
Amboy, and alfo that a number of waggons have been
brought from Staten and Long-Ifland. Thefe accounts are
corroborated by information of the fame kind from feveral
different quarters. But I do not place fo much dependence
upon the account of the intended attack upon this place, be-
caufe I think, if fuch a matter was really in agitation, it
would be kept a profound fecret : I rather am of opinion that
it is thrown out to deceive. But at any rate, taking it for
granted that they are aflembling their troops and carnages,
what can they have in view but a move, either immediately,
or when their reinforcement (if they get any) arrives ? and
if they do move, I can fee no other object but Philadelphia.
It is true they have feemed for fome time pafl to have laid a-
fide all thoughts of attempting that city by land : but if they
had only the attacking this army in contemplation, they would
never encumber themfelves with a large train of waggons,
which, if they were fuccefsful, would retard them in their
purfuit, and, if defeated, would be in danger of falling into
our hands.
I inclofe you an extract of a letter which I received from
general Sullivan* — If the two India {hips which have been
cut down are gone out to fea, I fhould fuppofe they are in
tended for the Delaware, becaufethey are not capable of per
forming a rough or long voyage. This, if true, looks as if
a fud^len correfponding move by land was intended ; for they
will never fend their fhips long before their troops.
Thefe, you will pleafe to obferve, are mere conjectures
upon circumftanccs : for the actions of the enemy have for
a long time paft been fo different from appearances, that I
G 2 hardly
84 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
hardly dare to form an opinion. But I would wifii to profit
by every piece of intelligence, and be prepared to ward off*
every danger that threatens. 1 would therefore recommend
that the Pennfylvania militia, who are aifembled at Bfiftol
for theexprefs purnofe of guarding the river andoppofmg; the
pafTage of the enemy, fhould be put tinder the command of a
good general officer, who would fee that they are kept to
their doty, and prepared for a fudden emergency. Except
this is done, they may -is well be at home.
I 1'ift ni^ht received a letter from general M'Dougal, an
extract of which you have inclofed. By this it appears that
a reinforcement is arrived, but whether from Canada or Eu-
fopCj is uncertain, Yoti will obfervc that he likewKe men
tions, that cipjht trnnfpc'ts with foot, and a fchooner with
liorfcs and hay, had fallen down. — We can only form con
jectures at prcfent of the place of their defoliation : but if they
irand fouthward, Philadelphia is the moft probable place.
I have the pleafure to communicate a very agreeable piece
of intelligence which I have received from general Parfons,
of the deftru&ion of twelve of the enemy's veflels in S.?.g-har-
bor upon the eaft end of Long-Maud. I give you his letter
at length, which I think reflects high honor upon the con-
and bravery of colonel Meigs, his officers, and men.
I have the honor to be, &c, G, }V<
SIR, tf raid-Quarters, Middlcbrook, May 31, 1777.
MONSIEUR Coudray is juft arrived at camp, and pro-
pofes to fet out to-morrow for Philadelphia. What his
views are, I urn uncertain, having had no conveFiation with
him upon the fubject : but I find an idea prevails that there
is an agreement between Mr, Deane and him, that he jhall
have the chief command of the artillery. How well- founded
this opinion may be, I cannot determine ; but if ifc be true, it
may involve the moft injurious confequences. General
x, who has defervedly acquired the diurader of one ot"
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 85
the niofl valuable officers in the fervice, and who, combat
ing almoft innumerable dimculties in the deparcment he Jills,
has placed the artillery upon a footing that does him the
greateft honor, — he, I am pcrfuadcd, would confiderhimfelf in
jured by an appointment fuperccding his command, and would
not K:ink hi ml elf at liberty to continue in the fervice. Should
fuch an event take place in the prefent (late of things, there
would be too much reafon to apprehend a train of ills, fuch
as might convulfe and unhinge this important department.
Suppofihg monfieur Coudray to have made fuch an agree
ment, the cafe is of great difficulty, and, in my opinion, is
worthy of the moft delicate confuleration of Congrefs. Yet
may not means be ftill (Jevifed to fatisfy this gentleman by ap
pointing him to fome command not derogatory to his promiied
rank, and which will be agreeable to him ? From the re
commendations we have had of him, I am obliged to efleem
him of high character, and of great knowledge in what he
profefies : and, from this confederation and the manner in
which he is mentioned to us, it appears that much addrefs and
delicacy muft be ufed, to conciliate matters.
Many rcafons, hefidcs thofe I have noted, might be af-
figned for continuing general Knox firft in command in this
department, which, on reflexion, will readily occur. I
would only obferve, without infinuating the moft diftant (ha-
dow of diftruftof monfieur Coudray's honor, candor, or in
tegrity, that, on the general maxims of prudence and policy,
it may be queftioned with much propriety whether ib impor
tant a command as that of the artillery (hould be veiled in
any but a native, or one attached by the ties of intereft to
thefe ftates.
Congrefs will be pleafed to excufe the freedom I have ufed
upon this occafion, and, I truft, will impute it to the impor
tance of the fubjeft which gave rife to it.
J have the honor to be, &c. G. W»
86 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
x i
SIR, Head-Quarters, Middlebrook* June 2, 1777.
THE inclofed copies of generals Gates and Poor's let
ters, which juft now came to hand, contain the lateft advices
from 'the northern army. Thefe I thought it proper to tranf-
mit, as I am not authorifed to conclude that general Gates
had written to Congrefs upon the fubjecl: of their contents.
I wi(h our accounts from that quarter may be happy, if Air.
Carleton makes an attack. — The fhameful deficiency in all
our armies affords but too juft grounds for difagreeable appre-
henfions; if the quotas affigned the different ftates are not
immediately filled, we {hall have every thing to fear. We
ihall never be able to refill their force, if the militia are to
be relied on ; nor do I know whether their aid, feeble and
ineffectual as it is, is much to be expected. — Can no expe
dients be devifed to complete the regiments, and to roufe our
unthinking countrymen from their lethargy ? — If there can,
the fituation of our affairs calls loudly for it.
I have the honor to be, &c. „ G. W.
P. S. Mr. Boudinot, commiflary-general for prifoners,
will deliver this. He goes to Philadelphia on bufmefs re-
fpedting his department, and has feveral matters to fettle and
adjuft with Congrefs, which are efTential and neceflary
to a regular difcharge of his duty. To him I beg leave to
refer you upon the fubjedt., and wifli him to have your at
tention.
SIR, Head-Quarter *s, Afiddlebrook. June 3, 1777.
I WOULD take the liberty of addrefling a few lines
to Congrefs on a matter which appears to me of importance,
and which is coniidered in the fame light by many of our of
ficers, and others not in the military line.— -The fubjedfc I
allude to is the condition of many perfons now with the
enemy, who, deluded by their arts and a mifguided attachment
to their meafures, fled from the protection Of the fiates,
to
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 87
to find fecurity with them, and who, in many in (lances, arc
in arms againfl us.
It has been fuggefted through various channels, — and the
fuggeftion feems to be credited, efpecially as fome have al
ready eicaped, — that many of thefe unhappy people, convin
ced of their error and the wicked part they have taken, would
embrace the earlieft opportunity of leaving the enemy and
returning among us, were they fure of being received into
our friendship again, and of enjoying their property and the
rights of citizens.
This fubj eel1, in the confi deration of it, ftrikes me as im
portant, interefling, and delicate, — involving many confe-
quences worthy of mature deliberation and attention. As
fuch, — and deeming myf elf incompetent to it, — I think it my
duty to fubmit it to Congrefs for their difcufllon, to take fuch
meafures therein as they fhall efteem neceflary and right.
If thefe people, particularly thofe in arms, are ingenuous in
what has been hinted, and it is their with, or that of any
confiderable part of them, to return,— I fhould fuppofe that
it would be expedient, and founded in found policy, to give
every fuitable aliurance to induce them to come. Such an
event would be attended with falutary effects, would weaken
the enemy, diftrefs them greatly, and would probably have
a moft happy influence in preventing others from joining
their arms. On the other hand, the indulgence may be lia
ble to great abufe, fuppofmg it not to be duly guarded : or if
the effects produced by it Should be partial, they will not be
adequate to the ends in view. Yet, as the enemy on their
part are ufing every device they are capable of, to feduce
both foldiers and citizens from our fervice into theirs, and
have fuccceded but too well, it is generally thought in the
military line that fomething fhould be attempted to counteract
them. Whether Congrefs will be of the fame fentiment,
and, — if they Ihould,— what and how extenfive the mode and
indulgence ought to be, is entirely with them..
There is one difficulty that occurs to me, fuppofmg the
G 4 meafure
88 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
meafure to be adopted. — -What line of difcrimination can he
drawn upon fuc'i an occasion, though circumftances fhould
differ aiv.1 feem to require it f While the poor, deluded, ig
norant duped by artifices and a thoufand caufes to lead them
wronp,, have a claim to their country's pardon and indul
gence, tiitiC are many of well-informed underftanding,
"wlif , m their early-avowed hoflilc difpoiitions and in
veterate ciiircgard of her rights, and thofe who have takea
a double and triple part, cannot have the fame pretenfions ;
— whole only view in returning may be to fcrve their own
fordid purpofes, and the better to promote thofe plans they
have Itsadily purfued.
One thing more I would obferve, which is, that if Con-
grefs judge an adoption of meafures eligible on the fubje6t of
my letter, the iboner it is come into, the better, for the moft
obvious reaibns ; and the time allowed for thofe to return
who wiiii the indulgence, fhould be fixed at a fhort period,
—not longer, in my opinion, than till the f day of
t next: other vife they may avail themfelves of the
circumftance, and wait events to decide their choice. If any
good confequences are produced, the means can be renewed
and further extended.
Congrefs will be pleafed to excufe me for thus freely
communicating my lentiments, efpecially when I afiure them
that they are dictated by what I efteem my duty,
I have the honor to be, &c, G. W.
P. S. The more I confider the fubjecl of my letter, the
more important and intcrefling it appears. I am inclined to
think, if the. meafure propofed ihould be deemed expedient,
that it will be better that the indulgencies and affurances
for their return Should be communicated through the me
dium of fome fecond, fecrethand, qualified to ofFer them and
negotiate the buijnefs, rather than by an a6t of public au
thority. Opportunities, I fhould fuppofe, may be found, by
f Left blank In the original.
•which
OFFICIAL LETTERS 89
which they may obtain due information in that way, and
which will not hold out to the enemy the fame cau-fe of fuf-
picion and of vigilance to prevent their efcaping. Whatever
mode fhall be coniidered moft advifable, fhould be immedi
ately adopted. What time ihould be allowed in the firft
inftance, I am at a lofs to determine : if the continuance
is too fhoit, there may be danger of their not being ap-
priied fo as to get off: if it is too long, they'll defer mat
ters to the laft, and a6t then as circumftances of iritereft
dictate. — To err in the former will be leail injurious.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Mlddklrook, June 5, 1777.
INCLOSED you will receive a copy of a letter
from general Howe, of this date. You will perceive how
extremely preffing he is for an anfwer to the demands in
his letters of the twenty-nrft of April and twenty-fecond
ultimo. As I referred the confideration of them to Con-
grefs in mine of the twenty-eighth of May requeuing their
opinion, I entreat that they will not defer giving it, that I
may return an anfwer. I fhall impatiently wait their fen-
timents, and flatter myfelf I fhall have them by the moft
fpeedy and early conveyance.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Middlcbrcok, June 5, 1777.
I THIS morning had the honor of your letter of the
fifth with its inclofures. — The refolution of the thirtieth of
May, refpecling the French gentlemen who came pafTen-
gers in the Amphitrite, reached camp before your letter,
and has excited much uneafmefs in the artillery corps.
The incloied copy of a letter from general Knox will
convey their anxiety upon the fubje6l, — wh,ich I think it
iieceflary to tranfmit, as well from duty as on account of
his reqifeft.
The difficulties upon this occafion arife from the pecu
liar
go GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Ear circumftances. of moil of the officers competing the ar
tillery regiments at this time. L do not know, for my own
part, what operation Congrefs precifely meant the refoiution
ihould have ;• but if the commiffions which thefc gentlemen
are to receive ihould give them rank from the date of thofe
they had from the king of France, or from their ccmpa&
with Mr. Deane, there are but few officers now in the1
artillery who will not be fuperceded in their command,
wnlefs fame method is adopted to prevent it. This, I am
perfuiaded,. Congrefs had not in contemplation, becaufe it
k oppofed to policy and to juftice -r and; I am led to be
lieve the refoiution was come into for want of due infor
mation how matters were eircumftanced in this inftance..
The officers now in the artillery I am obliged to- con-
£der of great merit : experience has proved them to be
molk warmly attached to the rights of their country ;, and
their conduct in the line of their profeffion has- been fuch
as does the higheft honor to themfelves and the gentleman
\who immediately commands them. Without derogating
ra die leaft from the character of the French officers who
are to be eoramiffioned, and whom I wim, to receive every
countenance they merit, there is ftrong reafon to doubt
paying afide every consideration of policy) whether tliey
|iave feen as much real fervice as o-ur own in the conrfe
of two campaigns. It would be hard, not to fay unj;uft,
that the latter fliouid lofe their command when they have
at claim, to every mark of favor, and after they have ta»
fcen great pains to- form their companies :. the fervice re-
that they ihould not ; and I am convinced the event
be attended with the moft fatal confequences..
But what is to, be done ? — This is a cafe of difficulty^
*t as you wilL — I am. not for reje6ling the French
gentkmen :— far otherwife,.— I am for employing them :
and; public faith, and the encouragements given to bring
tdxem over, demand that it Ihould be done. After much
thought and confideration upon the fubje6t, two modes oc
cur to rne, as the only poifible ones, by which it can be
cfFeded>
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 91
effected, and by which the inconveniences I have men
tioned can be remedied . One is, thai a new corps of ar
tillery mould be formed, and thefe gentlemen attached to it.
This, we have reaion to fear, cannot be done, from the dif
ficulties we have experienced in railing men, and from their
having no interefr,« or connexions with the people. Their
lituation in fuch cafe, if they are men of fentiment and ac
tive difpoiitions, would be irkfome and diftrefling. — The
other is, that our prefent officers now under coniideration
fhould have their coimrmTions antedated, to give them pre
cedency of rank : and this may be done with the greater pro
priety as moll: of them were intended to hold the potts they
now fuft-ain, before the French gentlemen had any claim
upon us. It is true they were not commifTioned, be-
caufe the old corps exifted under the firft arrangement.
Further it is faid, — and there is no doubt of the fact, —
that thefe gentlemen were promoted by brevet juft before
their departure from France, merely to give them rank here ;
— antecedent to which, our officers were fuperior to them
in this point ; and thefe brevets only confer local rank, con
fined to the French-American colonies.
This latter mode appears the moft eligible: if it is adopt
ed, they will be diftributed through the corps as affiftant of
ficers. Their want of a knowledge in our language incapa
citates them for command in the firft inftance ; and not onlv
fo, but to place them at the head of companies, over officers
that have been at great trouble, pains and expenfe in raifing
the men, would be both umnilitary and unjuit. — I fhall now
quit the fubje&, wiming that whatever will bed conciliate
matters and advance the public good, may be done ; fug-
gefting at »the fame time with all deference, as it is much
eafier to prevent evils than to remedy them after they have
happened, it will be well, in all cafes of foreign and indeed
other applications, that the confequences, which granting
them will involve, ihould be maturely weighed and taken iu
every point of view. In the prefent cafe of difficulty, things,
I am perfuadedj might have been adjufted with the greated
facility,
92 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
facility, had the committee of fdreigfl -.piiCtuionr, been felly
poffcffcd of all the circumilances : ejecting me artillery regi
men is.
By a; letter from general Gates, of the fecond inftant,
tranfmitting a copy of one from general Poor, the enemy,
who were at Split-Rock according to their lall advices
which I forwarded, have returned down the lake. Cap
tain Whitconib had been fent out to reconnoitre, and re
ported on his return that only one boat remained.
From fundry accounts from New-York, there is reafon
to believe the enemy are on the point of making forne ex
pedition. Their preparation of ihips for troops, light-
horfe, &c, indicates that they intend to go by water. What
their object is, yet remains a fecret. The inclofed copy of
an examination is very particular, and as recent as any
that I have received. The perfon who gave the informa
tion belongs to Cape-May county, and appeared to be a
fenfible intelligent lad. A deferter of the feventy-firft this
moment came in : you alfo have his examination inclofed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
SIR, Head-Quarters, ATiddlclrook, June 8, 1777.
I WAS this morning honored with your favor of
the fixth mftatit, with its inclofures. — I am extremely happy in
the approbation Congrefs have been pieaftd to cxprcfs of my
conduct refpe&ing the propofed cartel for the exchange of
prifoneis, and ihall govern niyfelf by the principles which
influenced me on that occafion, and iuch other as (hall
appear ri?;ht and juir., fhould there be any further negotia
tion on. the iubjeft.
I lhall order a return to be made of the chaplains in
fervice, which {hall be tranfmitted as foon as it is obtain
ed. At prefent, as the regiments are greatly difperfed, part
in one place and part in another, and accurate dates of
them have not been made, it will not be in my power to
forward it immediately. I (Uall here take occafion to men
tion
OFFICIAL LETTERS. oj
tlbrt that I communicated the refolution appointing a bri*
gadeM; ha plain in the place of all others, to the feveral bri-
iradiers. They are all of opinion that it will be impof-
fibls far them to difchafge the duty ; that many inconve
niences and much cliflatisfac"tion will be the refult ; and
that no eftabli foment appears fo good in this* jnflance as
the old one. Among many other weighty objections to
the meafi.ire, it has been fuggefted th:it it has a tendency
to introduce religious difputes into the army, which, above
all things, fftotild be avoided, — and in many inftances
would compel .-v.en to a mode of worfhip which they do-
not profefs. The old eftablifliment gives every regiment
ai opportunity of having a chaplain of their own reli
gious ientiments,-— is founded on a plan of a more gene
rous toleration,- — -and the choice of chaplains to officiate
has been generally in the regiments. Suppofmg one chap
lain could do the duties of a brigade (which fuppofition
however is inadmifiibie when we view things in practice) ,,
that being compofed of tour or five, perhaps, in fome in-
ftances, fix regiments, there might be fo many different
modes of worihip. I have mentioned the opinion of the
officers and thefe hints to Congrefs upon this fubjedr, from
a principle of duty, and becaufe I am well a flu red it is
moft foreign to their wifhes or intention to excite, by
any act, the fmaliefl uneaimefs and jealoufy among the>
troops.
There remains no room to believe otherwife than that
the enemy are on the point of moving : this KS confirm
ed by intelligence from all quarters, and through fo
many different channels, that we nruft confid-er it certain*
Whether they will move by land or water, or by both,
cannot be ascertained ; nor is their defoliation precifely
known • but every circumftance points out Philadelphia
as their objcfl. Being of this opinion, I have directed the
return of general Miffiin. Before he left Philadelphia, I
wrote, countermanding the ordcjr for his coming here ; but
2 he
94 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
he did not receive my letter. — I would alfo mention to
Congrefs that I think the military (lores, lately arrived, and
at or coming to Philadelphia, mould be removed to a place
of perfect fecurity. Though I would not excite needlefs
tmeafy apprehenfions, prudence requires that things fa eiTen-
tial ihould not be expofed to rifk.
I have the honor to be,. &c. G- W.
SlR, Head-Quarters, Middlebrook, June 13, 1777.
INCLOSED you will receive a copy of a letter
from me to lord Cornwallis, on the inhuman treatment of
lieutenant Martin by a party of the enemy's horfe. My
remonftrance and fending his corpfe produced nothing more
than a (hort anfwer from his lordfhip, which you alfo have.
It was thought unnecefTary to view the body, the fact being
admitted and juftified.
I have alfo taken the liberty to inclofe a copy of my let
ter to general Howe, in anfwer to his of the twenty-firft of
April, twenty-fecpnd of May, and fifth Jnilant. From the lat
ter part of the firft paragraph in that of the twenty-fecond of
May, I was induced to propofe an exchange of all tbe prifon-
ers now in his hands, fa far as it can be effected on the
principles of the agreement fubiifting between us, except that
of lieutenant-colonel Campbell and the Hcflian field-officers
\vho are to be retained till general Lee is declared exchange
able. 1 did not expect the proposition would be acceded to :
bttt> as his letter is of doubtful meaning in this inftance, I
thought it expedient to make the offer, — firft, as it will be a
happy event if we releafe our prisoners, — and fecondly, as
ihe propofition may draw from him an explanation of his
fentiments, though he ihould reject it.
The New-York paper of the ninth intrant I tranfmit for
yourperuf'l : it contains an extract of a letter from governor
Tryon to Chriftopher Billop of Long-Ifland. This extract,
1 think, is worthy of attention, and may be improved to
9 great
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 95
great advantage, if published in the papers with fuch ftdo
tures and obfervations as it will well warrant, and as will oc
cur to an ingenious pen. The enemy, on their part, ufe the
mofl artful .publications, and avail themfelves of every thing
they can, going from us. We ihould profit, where we can,
by their productions.
I would mention to Congrefs that fevcral officers in the
corps of cavalry have applied to me, to know in what point
of view their horfes are confidered, — whether as public proper
ty, or as private belonging to themfelves, to be furnifhed at
their own expenfe. When colonel Sheldon's regiment was
ordered to be raifed, the officers thought the horfes fhould be
a matter of public charge : but as it had never been deter
mined, and I was not perfectly fatisfied with the cuftona in
fuch cafes, I did not confider myfelf authorifed to decide up
on it. I promifed to recommend it to the conficleration of
Congrefs ; and this I have done fmce on firailar occafions.
The officers urge, that, as horfes are efTential to the dlf-
•charge of their duty, they ihouM be provided at the pufojic
•expenfe ; that they have rifen to fuch enormous prices, that,
if the contrary is eftablimed, they muft, from the nature of
the fervice, not only fink their pay, but make a large {acri-
fice of their private interefl.
Though the practice may have been againft their appli
cation in other armies, yet their reafoning feems plaufible,
and to be founded in juftice. There are objections too
againft the meafure, but not of fufficient validity, in my
opinion, to oppofe to their claim. Another reafon may -be,
fuggefted, why the public fhould find them horfqs, which
is, that if they were to provide them themfelves, the ap-
prehenfion of lofmg them might prevent a proper difcharge
of duty, and iii iome cafes produce too great a degree of cau
tious prudence-
This matter I have thought it necefTary to lay before Coa-
grefs, not doubting but it will have that attention which it
may feem to deferve.- — There is one thing more I would add
upon
$6 GENEPvAL WASHINGTON'S
upon the fubjc6l, which is, if their application is confidered
juir, I iliould fuppofe it beft to fix a certain determinate fum
to be allowed for the holies they have bought and may have
occailon to purchafe, in preference to leaving it to their dif-
cretion and judgment*
It being evident, fo far as we can reafon from circum*
fiances and appearances, that general Howe defigns Phila
delphia to be the nrft object of his purfuits, or the defeat of this
army,-— andj for one or both of thefe purpofes, is collecting
nearly his whole force at Brunfwic, — -a. board of general of
ficers determined yefterday evening after mature delibera-
tion, that all the continental troops at Peekfkill and its de
pendencies, except one tKoufand effectives) ihould be im-
mediately marched to reinforce this army. That number,
with the convalescents and fuch aids of militia as are now
and may be affembled in cafe of emergency, was deemed
competent to the defence of thofe polls againfi: any attempt
that may be made to pofTefs them in the prefenl fituation of
things.
I have inclofed a general return (hewing our whole ftrength
in jerfey at this time, from which it will appear our circum-
ftances in this refpecl are by no means fo defirable as could
be wifhed. I efteem it my duty to tranfmit information of
this fort from time to time to Congrefs, and am encouraged
the more to do it from a conviction that they, fenfible of the
necefiity of the moft profound fecrecy, will not fuffer the
lead intimation of our numbers to. tranfpire.
June 14* — Your favor of the thirteenth, with its inclo-
fures, was received laft night
Having propofed to general Howe an exchange of the
prifoners now in his poffeffion, as you will perceive by the
inclofed copy of my letter, and aifo added, that " his conduit
towards prifoners would govern mine" it appears to me that it
would be improper to tranfmit him a copy of your fir ft re-
folution of. the tenth inftant, till we have fomething more
from him on the fubjedt propofed. 1 confefs I did not, nor
do
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 97
<k> I yet, underftand the paragraph of his letter of ths twenty-
fecond ultimo to which I have alluded, and which induced
me to propofe an exchange if that was his willi, and to fub-
join, that his conduct to our prifoners ihould govern mine, —
as a caution to prevent him exerciiing feverity or a new
mode of treatment of them, contrary to the fpirit of the agree
ment between us, and the ideas entertained upon the fubje£fc
when it was fird entered into, — iffuch was his meaning.
Finding that there would be great difficulty in filling the
batallions intended to be raifed, I did not •commiffion officers
for all the fixteen additional ones : I apprehended fuch a
meafure would accumulate expenfe without increafing our
ftrength, and the re fore did not fet the whole on foot. — I fhall
be happy, on governor Caf well's letter and yourrecommenda-
tion of colonel Shephard, that he mould have a regiment :
from the character given him, and the terms on which he
offers his fervices, there can be no objection. Congrefs will be
pleafed to appoint him to the command they wiih him to have ;
and I mould think it advifable that he be ordered to march
with his corps to join this army, leaving proper officers to re
cruit the deficiency.
I have perufed monfieur De Coudray's opinion about the
fortifications, and have no doubt but that it is well founded. I
have not fufficient knowledge of them to pronounce an opi*
nion with certainty myfelf.
You will obferve by the New-York paper the execution of
* * *. His family well deferves the generous notice of
Congrefs. He conducted himfelf with great fidelity to our
caufe, rendering [his country cfle-ntial'] fervices, and lias fallen a
facrifice in promoting her intereft. Perhaps a public act of
generofity (confidering the character he was in) might not
be fo eligible as a private donation.
June 15. — When I wrote yefterday, my information was
that onedivifion of the enemy was advancing on the Prince
ton road, and it was believed from the general movement of
their army that they were proceeding towards Delaware.
Vol. II. H What
5? GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
What their real deilgn was, is not yet underflood. Thofe
that advanced on that road, after marching ibme diftance,
filed off to the right do\vn Millftone river, and joined the
other column on the Coryel-ferry road leading by Somerfet
court-houfe. One objecl of their movement might he to in-
clofe general Sullivan and his divifion between their two co
lumns: another (which mod probably was the principal
caufe, if they did net mean to proceed to Delaware when
they fet out) to manoeuvre us out of our prefent encampment
into action upon difadvantageous terms. The rirft they
could not hope to fuccecd in after general Sullivan changed
his poll to Rocky-Hill, — an event which took place only the
evening before, and which it is prefumed they were not well
advifed of when they left Brunfwic. A considerable body
of them remain at Somerfet court-houfe, and on the commu
nication between that and Brunfwic. — We have been and
are harrafiing them with light troops : but they being in open
ground with a large train of artillery, we cannot do it fo ef
fectually as could be wimed.
I ihall be glad to be informed whether general De Haas
confiders himfelf an officer in the army, He has never join
ed it fince his promotion, or written a {ingle line to me upon
the fubje£h If he accepts his commiffion, it will be well
for CJongrefs to order him to repair to the army immediately.
The brigade intended for him is without a general officer,
and has brought on a difagreeable difpute between two of the
colonels) each claiming the command. This is not the only
inconvenience .'—-officers of high rank remaining at home af
ford a bad example to others who are inferior, and grounds
of application for the like indulgence.
This letter, except the paragraphs of this date, I intended
to fend yefterday, but was prevented by the movement of
the enemy which rendered it unadvifable,
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. By a pcrfon juft now arrived with a letter from ge
neral Sullivan, the enemy's advanced guard is polled between
three
OFFICIAL LETTE-ilS. 59
three and four miles from Sonierfet ccurt-houfe on the road
to Coryel's ferry.
SIR, Middlelroo'k, June 14, 1777, IO o'clock-, A. M,
YOUR letter of yefterday, with its inclofures, I re
ceived laft night. By this conveyance I {hall not fend a par-±
ticular anfwcr. — The enemy are in motion, and a body is
advancing from Millftone towards Vanbieter's bridge : ano-
iher divifion is on the road leading towards Coryel's ferry.—*
We are packing up, and making every preparation to act as
circumftances fhall feem to require^
I have the honor to be, &c> , G. W^
P. S. The letters accompanying this you will pleafe to put
in the ponVoffice.
Head-quarters^ Middlelrvo^ June 2O, 1777*
WHEN I had the honor of addrefiing you laft, I in
formed you that the main body of the enemy had marched
from Brunfwic, and extended their van as far as Somerfetcourt-
houfe* I am now to acquaint yon, that, after encampingbetween
thefe two pofts and beginning a line of redoubts^ they changed
their ground yefterday morning and in the courfe of the pre*
ceding night, and returned to Brunfwic again, burning, as
they went, feveral valuable dwelling houfes* We had con^-
{latitly light troops hovering round them as far as circum-
fiances would permit : but, being fecured on their flanks by
the RarJton and Miilftone, they were difficult to approach ;
and, without lofs, effected their return to their former pofts*
illis fudden and precipitate change in their operations has
afforded matter for much fpeculation. We fuppofe their ori
ginal defign was to attempt an imprefiion on our right, or
to manoeuvre us out of our ground, or to advance towards
the Delaware. Whether thefe conjectures were well found
ed, cannot be afcertained : but it is probable, if they had an
H,3 imprdlicn
GENERAL* WASHINGTON' S
n in view, they found it could not be attempted
without great lofs — (as to bringing on an attack, they ef
fectually fecured themfelves againft one by the poft they
took) — or if" patting the Delaware was their object, that, from
the temper of the people, the profecution of it (if not imprac
ticable) would meet with much greater oppofition than what
they expected : for I muft ohferve, — and with peculiar fatis^
faction I do it, — that, on the nrft notice of the enemy's move
ments, the militia aflembled in the moft fpirited manner,
firmly determined to give them every annoyance in their
power, and to afford us every poflible aid. This I thought
it my duty to mention in jiiftice to their conduct ; and I am
inclined to believe that general Howe's return, thus fuddenly
made, muft have been in confequence of the information he
received that the people were in and flying to arms in every
quarter to oppofe him. I fhall not reafon upon this event :
but I cannot but confider ic as a moft fortunate and happy
one to us, and the moft diftreffing Mr. Howe has yet ex-
perienced, nnlefs he has fchemes in contemplation beyond the
reach of my conje6ture.
I Iriould have written to Congrefs more frequently refpedt-
ing the enemy after they came from Brunfwic, had I not
been almoft conftantly on horfe-back, and had their defigns
been clear : but as they were not, I did not wifh to puzzle
them with conjectures, more efpeciaily as I wrote general
Arnold (with whom I was obliged to correfpond,. that he
might co-operate with me as circumftances jQiwild require)
to ttanfmit them copies of my letters,
Inclofed you will be pleafed to receive a-n extract of a let
ter from colonel Jackfon of Bofton to general Knox, The
intelligence it contains is interefting ; and I (hall be happy to
hearthatthe two brigs mentioned have captured the remainder
of the Hefiians, and more particularly fo if the capture fhould
not be far from the Britilh coaft, provided they arrive fafe.
vc o'clock. — I juit now received a letter from genera]
, a copy cf which, and of its inclofures, is here-
7 witK
OFFICIAL LETTERS. rcr
•with tranfmitted. — The enemy, from appearances, having
changed their views for the prefent, or at leaft rendered them
dark and myfterious, I have fent expreffes to brigadiers
M'Dougal and Glover to halt their divifions, if they have
proceeded any conliderable diftance from Peekikill, till fur-
ther orders, — otherwife to return. I have alfo written to ge
neral Putnam to hold four regiments in readinefs to embark
for general Schuyler's aid, mould further intelligence from
Canada refpecling the enemy's movements make itneceflary.
The uncertainty of general Howe's operations will not per
mit more to be done at this time. General Parfons arrived
here this morning, and his divifion is marching to their
ground towards the left of the lines.
I omitted to mention in my laft, that, in confultation with
my general officers, it was agreed that promotions fhould be
regimental in the army for all officers under the rank of field-
officers, — and for all of that rank, in the line of their ftate.
This is now fettled as a general rule ; a right being referved
however, that it may be made for particular merit out of
this line, or refuted for dement or any fubftantial objection.
J have the honor to be, &c* G. W,
SIR, Head- Quarter s, Middlcbrovky June 21, 1777,
I WAS laft night honored with yours of yefterday
morning, with its inclofures, the contents of which 1 mall
duly attend to.
Having written fully yefterday, and nothing new occur-
kig iince, I have only to requeft that you will forward the
papers refpedling the commiflary's department as foon as
poflible. For want of fome certain and fixed line of duty
in this inftance, the commiffary fays it is impoffible tq
conduct matters with any propriety.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W*
lea GENERAL WASHINGTON^
, Middle faook> Jim* 22., 1777, 1 1 o'clock,
SIR,
I HAVE the honor and pleafure to infoi'in you that
the enemy evacuated Brunfwic this morning and retired to
Amboy, bunding many houfes as they went along. Some of
them, from the appearance of the flames, were canfideyabl©
buildings.
From feveral pieces of infqrmatkm and from a variety of
prcumfcances, it was evident that a movement w^as in agi-*
tation, and it was the general opinion tli,at k was intended
this morning. I therefore detached three brigades under the
command of major-general Greene to fall upon their rear,
and kept the main body of the army paraded upon the*
heights, to fupport them if there ihould be occafion. A
party of colonel Morgan's regiment of light infantry attack
ed and drove the Hefiian piquet about 'fun-rife : and, upon
the appearance of general Wayne*s brigade and Morgan^
Regiment (who got firil to, the ground-), oppofite Brunfwic, the
enemy immediately eroded the bridge to th,e eaft fide of the
river, and threw themfelyes into redoubts which they had
Before eonflructed. Our troops advanced biiikly upon them ^
upon \yhich they quitted the redoubts without making an^y
Oppoiition, and retired by the Amboy road.
As aU our troops, from the difference of their {ration^
in camp, had not come- up when the enemy began to move
orF,: it was impofiible to check them, as their numbers wei&
far greater then we. had. any reafon to expect,— -being, as
we \vere informed afterwards, between four and five thou-
fand men. Our men purfued them as far as Pifcatawa ; but
finding it impoffible to overtake them, and fearing they
Anight be led on too far from the main body* they return-:
fd to Brunrwic.
By information of the inhabitants, genera! Howe, lord
Cornwallis, and general Grant, were in the town when the
alarm was firft given ; but they quitted it very foon after.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 103
In the purfuit, colonel Morgan's riflemen exchanged feve-
ral {harp fires with the enemy, which, it is imagined, did
confiderable execution. — I am in hopes that they afterwards
fell in with general Maxwell, who was detached laft night
with a ftrong party, to lie between Brunfwic and Amboy to
intercept any convoys or parties that might be palling : but
I have yet heard nothing from him.
General Greene tieiires me to make mention of the con
duct and bravery of general Wayne and colonel Morgan, and
of their oflicers and men, upon this occation, as they conftant-
ly advanced upon an enemy farfuperior to them in numbers,
and well fecured behind ftrong redoubts.
General Sullivan advanced from Rocky-Hill to Brunfwic
with his diviiion ; but, as he did not receive his order of
march till very late at night, he did not arrive till the enemy
had been gone fome time.
I have lent down lord Stirling's diviiion to reinforce gene
ral Maxwell ; and in the morning I lhall move the maia
body of the army to fome fecure poll nearer Amboy, from
whence we can with more eafe annoy the enemy, than from
this diilance. — I am inclined to think they mean to crofs to
Staten-IQand : if they do, we may perhaps find an opportu
nity of making a ftroke upon their rear : at any rate we
jfhali have a chance of obliging them to make a total evacu
ation of the Hate of Jerfey. — I have the honor to be, &c.
SIR, Camp at Quilt bit (own, June 25, 1777.
WHEN I had the honor to addrefs you lad, it was
on the fubje<5t of the enemy's retreat from Brunfwic to Am
boy, and of the meaiures purfued to annoy ihem. At the
time of writing, the information I had received refpe&ing
their lofs was rathir vague and uncertain : but we have rea-
ibn to believe, from intelligence through various channels
fmce, that it was pretty confiderable, and fell chiefly on the
grenadiers and light infantry who formed their covering
H 4 party*
104 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
party.' The inclofcd copy of a letter, containing the in
formation of a perfon juft from New- York, correfponds
with other accounts on this head, and with the declarations
of fome dcferters. Some of the accounts are, that officers
were heard to fay they had not fufFered fo feverely fince
the affair at Princeton.
After the evacuation of Brunfwic, I determined, with the
advice of my general officers, to move the whole army the
next morning to this poft, where they would be nearer the
enemy, and might act according to circumilauces. In this
I was prevented by rain, and they only moved yeiterday
morning. 1 have advanced lord Stirling's diviiion and fome
other troops lower down in the neighborhood of Metuchin
nieeting-houfe, and intended to have pofted more there ; bur
found, on reconnoitring the ground, that it was low and dif-
advantageous, and full more unfavorable through a fcarcity
of water. Thefe reafons, added to that of there not being
the fmallcft profpedfc of attacking the enemy in Arnboy with
a probability of fucctfs, — fecured on their flanks by water,
and in their front by flrong redoubts acrofs the Neck,-—
would not permit me, either in my own opinion or that of
my general officers, to keep any greater body of men in that
quarter, where they would have been difperfed, and of con-
Sequence extremely infecure.
I have light parties lying clofe on the enemy's lines, to
watch their motions, and who will be ready to act in conjunc
tion with lord Stirling's divifion and fuch other troops as it
niay be neceflfary to detach ; though I think, — and fo do the
reft of the officers,— that no event is likely to take place that
will require more, iince the idea of forcing their lines, or
bringing on a general engagement on their own ground, is
pniverfally held incompatible with our mtereft, and that that
number is fufficient to avail us of any advantages we can
expedl to arife from their retreating from Amboy, fuppoiing
notice of the fa 61 ihould be obtained. Their contiguity to the
Sound, and the imall diftance acrofs it (having boats prepar
ed
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 105
eel to pafs in), will enable them to get ofF (fhould they fb
incline) againft every prudent and juftifiable exertion on our
part. Whether fiich is their defign, is more than I, can po-
iitively determine : but there is every reaibn to believe tha{
they have been and are tranfporting their baggage to Staten-
Ifland, and making every preparation to embark on board
their tranfports for fome new expedition.
Your favor of the twenty-fourth i juft now received, and
am extremely obliged by your cordial congratulations on the
enemy's retreat from Brunfwic, and favorable interpretation
of the event to my conduct. — The refoiution you did me the
honor to tranfmit {hall have my attention.
It is much to be regretted, that an exprefs fent off to gene
ral Maxwell on faturday night, to iniorm him of general
Greene's movement towards Brunfwic that he might con-
duel; himfelf accordingly, did not reach him. Whether tliQ
Texprefs went defignedly to the enemy, or was taken, is not
Jcnown : but there is reafon to believe he fell into their hands.
If general Maxwell had received the order, there is no doubt
but their whole rear-guard would have been cut off. This
the enemy confefTed themfelves, as we are well informed by
perfons in Boncmtown.
By a reconnoitring party juft returned, it is reported as a
matter of doubt whether any of the enemy have removed
from Amboy ; though it is almoit certain they have tranf-
ported a great deal of their baggage.
I have the honor to be, &c. ,G. Wt
SIR, Camp at Middlebrook, June 28, 1777.
ON thurfday morning general Howe advanced wkh
his whole army in feveral columns, from Amboy, as far as
Weft field. We are certainly informed that the troops lent to
Staten-Ifland returned the preceding evening, and, it is laid,
vith afi augmentation of marines, fo that carrying them
there was a feint with intention to deceive us. His deiign
in
ioS GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
in this fiiddcn movement was either to bring on a general
engagement upon difadvanta^eous terms, confuiering mat
ters in any point of Tiewy — or to cut off our light parties,
smd lord Stirling's divifion which was fcnt down to fupport
them, — or to po fiefs hirnfelf of the heights and pa (Fes ill the
mountains on our left. The two laft feeined to be the firfl
objects of his attention, as his march was rapid againft
thefe parties, and indicated a ftrong difpofition to gain thofe
paiTes.
In this fituatlon of affairs it was thought abfolutely necef-
fary that we fhould move our force from the low grounds,
to occupy the heights before them ; which was effected. As
they advanced, they fell in with fome of our light parties and
pajjt of lord Stirling's divirion, with which they had fome pret
ty fmart fkirmiming, with but very little lofs I believe on our
jade, except in three field-pieces which unfortunately fell into
the enemy's hands : but, not having obtained returns yet, I
cannot determine it with certainty ; nor can we afeertairs
what the enemy's lofs was.
As foon as wre had gained the pailes, I detached a body of
light troops under brigadier-general Scott, to hang on their
flank, and to watch their motions ; and ordered Morgan's
corps of riflemen to join him lince. — The enemy remained
at Weftfceld till yefterday afternoon, when, about three-
o'clock, they moved towards Spanktovvn, with our light
troops in their rear and purfuing. The enemy have plun
dered all befbie them, and, it is laid, burned foii>e houfes.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
- Quarters, Mlddhhookj June 29, 1777, 9 o*cl&ck, P. M.
SIR,
I HAVE not been able to afcertain yet with any de~
gree of precifion the lofs fuftained by the enemy in the feve-
rai ikirmifhes on thurfd'ay, though we have many reafons to
believe it was much more confidcrable than what it was appre-
8 ' headed
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 107
hended to be when I had the honor of addreffing you upon
the fubjec"l. The inclofed copy of a letter from lord Stirling
contains the fulleit and moft particular inform lUioa that I
have received : and the accounts given by fundry inhabitants
to perfons \vho have been ia the neighborhood where the
ikirmiihes were, and where the enemy were encamped, coun
tenance this intelligence.
As to our lofs, as reported by the enemy, I am perfuad-
ed it is exaggerated beyond all bounds of truth or pro
bability, being adored by lord Stirling that it was trifling,—*
and by fuch deferters as have come in, that they faw but very-
few prifoncrs taken. It would have been certainly known
before this (that is, the number not yet returned), had not
fome of the parties, and I believe trie moft which were then
out, joined the corps fince detached.
In refpe6l to the enemy's defigns or intended movements,
they are not to be determined. It is certain they got into
Amboy yefterday evening ; and, from advices this morning
from officers fent to South-Amboy to obferve their motions,
there were ilrong reafons to conclude they were evacuating
the town, as their horfe had gone over to Staten-Ifland, and
as feveral boats were alfo palling with baggage, and others
with troops, There were further circnmflances favoring this
opinion, fuch as apparent breaches in fome of their fines : yet
general Sullivan informs me by a letter juft now received, that,
from all the intelligence he has been able to obtain to-day,
he does not think they have anyferious intention of quirting
jt, and that all their movements are a feint, calculated merely*
to deceive, and to cover fome plans they have in view.
I have two brigades,— Scott's and Conway's, — now lying at
and near Woodbridge, as corps of obfervation, and to a£i as
eircumftanccs may require. General Sullivan was clown in
the fame neighborhood with his divifion, till this evening,
when he returned, it appearing to him unneceiTary to remain
longer, and that the brigades I. have mentioned would be &£»
ficient for any event likely to take place.
I have the hoqav to be, §cc, G, W,
loS GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
P. S. June 30. — From intelligence received lafl night,
the opinion that the enemy are evacuating Amboy feems to
be more confirmed.
As the fa6ls in lord Stirling's letter are rather taken up on
report than from any certain knowledge of their having hap
pened, I cannot confider them fufficiently authentic for pub
lication ; nor are they tranfmitted for that purpofe, though I
am well perfuaded the enemy's lofs was much more confider-
able than it was at firft imagined to be. — It has been report
ed to me to-day that the enemy took iixty-four prifoners in
the whole. Whether they were all of our army, or in part
countrymen, I cannot decide ; for, having detached at that
time a number of light parties, and many of them having fall
en in with the corps ordered out fince, returns could not be
made with accuracy. The prifoners taken by us were thir
teen, two of whom are light dragoons, the reft infantry.-^
Generals Scott and Conway intended to move towards Amboy
this morning : but it is probable the rain lias prevented them.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Afiddlcbrook, July J, 1777.
YESTERDAY afternoon the enemy totally evacu
ated Amboy, and encamped oppofite to it on Staten-Ifland.
General -Scott entered dire6tly after ; and polling guards to
fecure any (lores they might have left, he withdrew his bri
gade, and halted about four miles from thence. This it wa?
expedient to do, it being night when he entered, and his re
maining there might have induced the enemy, whofe boats
were ready, to throw over a fuperior force in his rear. He
wrote me, he fhould return this morning, and bring off
whatever flores he may find ; though there is little reafon to
expe6t that they have left any thing valuable behind. — When
I am more particularly informed upon the fubje6r, I (hall
take the liberty of addreiTmg you on the fame.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
SIR, Camp at Middlelrook, July 2, 1777,.
THE inclofccl copies of general St. Glair's letters, tranf-
mitted yefterday afternoon and laft night by general Schuy-
ler, I have thought it my duty to fend you. The intelligence
they contain is important and interefling ; nor are there cir-
cum fiances wanting befides thefe, to induce a belief, or at
leaf! to raife a ftrong prefumption, that the enemy have in
contemplation a junction of their two armies by way of the
lakes and the North-river. If they have their whole Canada
force on the former, it is certainly their object.
On' receiving thefe accounts, I wrote immediately to gene
ral Putnam to embark Nixon's brigade for reinforcing the
northern army, — to wait however the arrival or near ap
proach of generals Parfons and Varnum's brigades from this
place, who march this morning, — or the coming in of an
equal number of militia to fupply their place before they fail.
This I have done by the advice of my general officers, and is
all that is thought practicable in the prcfent uncertain inde
terminate iltuation of things. The reft of the army here will
be held in readinefs to move according to information and
eircumflances.
As I have obferved, if we were certain general Bur-
goyne was approaching Ticondcroga with his whole army,
I fliould not heiitate a moment in concluding that it is in con*
fequence of a preconcerted plan with general Howe, and
that the latter is to co-operate with him, by puming his
whole force up the North-river, and aiming a ftroke in the
firft inftance and immediately againft the Highland panes.
But as the appearance of the enemy on the lake may be a
feint, calculated to amufe anddiftracl (though it may feem like
a real attack), to draw this army to Peekfkili and more to the
northward, that general Howe may with more facility turn
his arms againft Philadelphia, — it has been determined unad-
vifable for us to move till we have further proofs of his in
tentions, and that our conduct muft be governed by his.
Our
1KB G£N£RAL WASHINGTON'S
Our ihuation is truly delicate and embarrafiing. Should \v<*
march to Feckikill, leaving general Howe on .Staten-Iflancl,
tiiere will be nothing to prevent him palling to South -Am-
boy, and puihing from thence to Philadelphia, or in ihort
'by any other route ; though the marching fuch of his troops
from the point oppoiite Amboy as were encamped there, and
the failing of the {hips from Prinoefs-bay yeilerday morning*
are circumfcances indicating that an embarkation has or will
take place. On the other hand, if the North-river and the
poflVfiion of the Highlands are his objects, cur remaining here
sill his views are certainly known may fubjeci: us to a rifk
that wcwifh to avoid.
Thus, let us examine matters as we will, difficulties ftare
us in the face. We ihali attempt to confult, and to do the
Left we can. — I have written to generals Putnam and George
•Clinton fully upon the fubjeci:, urging them to put forth eve
ry exertion in their power, and infr.au tly to call in a refpe6U
able body of militia to aid in the defence of thole important
polls at this critical conjuncture. I trull they will come out •
their ferviccs in all probability will not be wanted but for a
very fhort time.
} muft earnestly requeil that you will fend Mr. Stewart,
the i (Tiling commiffary-general, to camp immediately. There
is reafon to apprehend the army will be in great diftrefs and
confufion for want of iffuing commiiTaries in three or four
days. On faturday, thofe with Mr. Trumhull declare they
will leave him, without they are put on a different footing
from what they now are. I need net mention the confc-
tjuences that will refult from fuch an event, if there are not
ethers here tofupply their places.
There is one thing more I would add, which is, that
there are not more than forty thoufand dollars in the milita
ry cheft, and two months' pay due to all the army, except
two or three regiments which have juft obtained warrants
A hundred and fifty-fix thoufand, out of the lail fr.ppiy
fent the paymafter, I was obliged to order to Pcekfkill for
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
the troops in that quarter, whofe demands are great and
prcffing alfo. I rnuft earneftly entreat that you will forward
a fupply dired-Uy to the paymafter : — fhould we be obliged to
move before the troops are paid, much uneafmefs and mur*
muring will be the certain attendants, and, I fear, fomething
worfe.
As the enemy will adopt every flratagem and device to de
ceive and diftra£t us, — notwith (landing the prefent appear
ance in favor of their making an expedition up the North-
river, I doubt not but you will have the moft vigilant look
outs kept along Delaware -bay, and proper exprefTes and fig-
naif for communicating the earliefi intelligence. I think it.
would be highly expedient that fomc fenfible judicious men
Jhould be employed in that bufmefs at this time, who would
view things as they ought to be, and from whofe accounts
certain inferences and conclufions may be drawn, fo as to
form a proper line for our conduct. The moft fatal confe-
quences may flow from falfe information at this period : things
ihould be examined with all pofEble certainty. I fhall not
be furprifed to hear of feveral {hips appearing in or ofF Dela
ware, though general Howe's deftination (hould be elfe-
where. Their fleet give them the moft fignal advantages,
and an opportunity of pra<5Ufmg a thoufand feints.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
S I R, Head- Quarters, Mvrnfaivn, *July 7 , 1 7 7 £>
I WAS this morning honored with yours of the fifth,
\vith fundry refolves of Congrefs to which I fliall pay due at
tention.
No change has taken place in the firuation of the enemy
upon Staten-Iiland fince I wrote to you on the fifth : but JL
have this morning received an account from .Elixabethtown,
which mentions that a perfon had juft come from the ifland,
.\vlio informs that fmall craft are conftantly plying between
Ne \v-York and the fleet, laden with officers' baggage and
(lores
tit GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
itores put up in packages, and marked with their names and
regiments; and that tranfports are fitted up with ftalls over
their main decks for the reception of horfes. This looks as
if a longer voyage was intended than up the North-river.
I have given notice to all the eaftern ftates to be upon
their guard, iliould the fleet put to fea and freer that way :
and I think the works upon and obftruclions in the Dela
ware {hould he carried on with fpirit, and completed as far
as poffible, left they fhould vifit that quarter. I think the
fouthern ftates {hould alfo be advifed of the uncertainty of the
next operation of the enemy, that they may alfo be making
fuch preparations as they may judge neceflary.
I ihall make inquiry into the number of arms at prefent
at Springfield : and if any can poflfibly be fpared to the flare
of Connecticut, they fhall have all or part of thofe requefled
by governor TrumbulL General Knox expects the return
on faturday from Springfield ; and I can then determine the
matter.
I am pleafed to hear that a fupply of money is upon the
road, as there is two months* pay due to the troops.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. The inclofed piece of information is jufl fentto me
by general Forman, which is confirmed in feveral particu
lars by two dcferters from the fleet, who left it yefterday
morning.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Morrlftown, July 9, 1777.
THE inclofed copy of a letter from the commiflary-
general of provifions, and the information you will receive
from major Hoops, will convince Congrefs of the diflrefs
and confulion prevailing in that department. Without fome-
thing is done ia aid of Mr. Trumbull immediately, this army
muft be difbanc^ed : if the prefent difficulties continue, it is
impoflible it can exift. I entreat Congrefs to take the mat
ter under their moft early confederation, and to make fuch
proviiloJJt
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 113
jprovifion as the exigency and importance of the cafe de
mands. I know not but we (hall be obliged to move in the
courfe of a few hours ; when, from the fituation of things
in this line we (hall have more to dread, than from the ene
my. — I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.
SIR, MorrtJlnvYi) July 10,, 1777.
I THIS morning received a letter of the feventh ia-
ftant from general Schuyler, a copy of which, and of its in-
clofure, I herewith fend you. The intelligence which they
contain is truly interefting, fuppofing it juft : but it differs fo
widely from what we had reafon to expe6l from the ac
counts mentioned in general St. Glair's letters to general
Schuyler (copies of which you would receive in his letter
tranfmitted from hence laft night by major Hoops) that I
would fain flatter myfelf it is not true. I am the more en
couraged to hope this, as captain Farmam's letter from Fort-
Ann to brigadier Learned feems to be the foundation of the
whole, and does not authorife the unfavorable and unhappy
conclusions built upon it. I fhould rather fuppofe, if any ac
cident has befallen us, it mud have happened to the detach
ment of men from the Grants, under colonel Warner : for
we find from general St. Glair's letters, he expected fome-
thing from him.-— The whole account is fo confufed that we
cannot eflablilh any certain dedudHon from it ; and I fhall be
happy if it proves premature and groundlefs.
I am told by a gentleman who came to camp yeflerday
evening, that Nixon's brigade would certainly arrive at Al
bany on tuefday morning, as he faw the vefTels, in which it
was embarked, {landing up the evening before with a fair
wind.
If the event mentioned by general Schuyler fliould not have
happened, we cannot doubt but general Burgoyne has come
up the lake, determined, if poffible, to carry his point, — I
mean, to polTefs himfelf of our p^fls in that quarter, and to
VOL. II. I pufh
n4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
purti his arms further. Suppofmg this not to have happened,
as our continental levies are fo deficient in their number, our
fecurity and fafety will require that aids from the militia
fhould be called forth in cafes of emergency: if it has, there
is now an abfolute neceflity for their turning out to check
general Bur^oyne's progrefs ; or the mofi difagreeable confe-
cjuences may be apprehended. Upon this occadon I would
take the liberty to fuggeil to Congreis the propriety of fend
ing an active, fpirited officer, to conduct and lead them on.
If general Arnold has fettled his affairs, and can be fpared
from Philadelphia, I would recommend him for this bufmeis*
and that he Ihould immediately fet out for the northern de
partment : he is active, judicious, and brave, and an officer
in whom the militia will repofe great confidence. Befides
this, he is well acquainted with that country, and with the
routes and moft important parfes and defiles in it. I do not
think he can- render more fignal fervices, or be more ufe-
fully employed at this time, than in this way. I am perfuad-
ed his prefence and activity will animate the militia greatly,
and fpur them on to a becoming conduct. I could wifli him
to be engaged in a more agreeable fervice, — to be with bet
ter troops : but circumflances call for his exertions in this
way, and I have no doubt of his adding much to the honors he
has already acquired.
in confequence of the advices from general St. Ciair, and,
the ftrong probability there is that general Howe will pu(h
againfl the Highland paffes to co-operate with general Bur-
goyne, I ihall, by the advice of my officers, move the ar
my from hence to-morrow morning towards the North-river.
If fuch fhould be his intention, we Ihall not be too early, as
a favorable wind and tide will carry him up in a few hours.
On the other hand, if Philadelphia is his object, he cannot
get round before we can arrive there ; nor can he well de
bark his troops, &c, and proceed acrofs the land, before wre
qan oppofe him.— 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. "W.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 115
SIR, Pompton Plains, July 12, 1777.
WHEN I had the honor of addreffing you laft, I
hoped the intelligence received refpe6Ung our affairs in the
northern department was not true, or at leaft that they were
not fo unfavorable as they were then reprefented. But the
inclofed copy of a letter from general Schuyler, which came
to hand yefterday evening, confirms it, mod unhappily for
us, in its fulled latitude. This event (the evacuation of our
pofts on the lake),— among the rnofl unfortunate that could
have befallen us, — & rendered more interefling by the manner
in which it took place. I have no further information upon
the fubjedt than what the copy contains, and fhall be happy
to hear by my next advices, that the main body of the army,
ofwhofe fituation general Schuyler knew nothing with cer
tainty, have not become prifoners : for I fear, from the dif-
pofition they discovered on this diftreffing occafion, they
would have furrendered to the enemy, in cafe they fell in
with them, though inferior in number.
In refpe6fc to general Schuyler's demands, it is not in my
power to comply with the whole of them. Not a {ingle tent
can be fm nifhed : the kettles will be, and are ordered on ;
and an exprefs is going to Springfield for all the mufket-car-
tridges, fixty barrels of powder, and a proportionable quantity
of lead and cartridge-paper for his ufe. Ten pieces of artil
lery, with harnefs, are alfo ordered, with proper officers,
from Peekfkill. I have written to him to procure horfes and
drivers himfelf, as they are to be obtained with much more
eafe where he is, than here : nor can he be fupplied with
the heavy cannon which he requefts, fuppofing them necef-
fary,-^-not having one to fpare from a more important ufe, —
the defence of the Highlands. Colonel Putnam, I imagine,
will be with him before this, as his regiment is part of
Nixon's brigade, — who will anfwer every purpofe he can
pofiibly have for an engineer at this criils. A ftipply of in-
I 2 trenching
ii 6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
trenching tools was fent him four or five days ago, in confe-
cjrience of an application then made.
I fhould be extremely happy if our fituation would allow
ifte to afford him a large reinforcement of men : but I can
not with any degree of propriety, in the opinion of my gene
ral officers, fend more to his aid at this time than a number
of recruits on the march from MaiTachufetts {late, belonging
to fome of the regiments under his command, who amount to-
fix hundred at leait., and are now, I expect, pretty well ad
vanced towards Peekfkill. With this augmentation to what he
already has, — fnppofmg general St. Cl air and his force to have
come in, and any number of militia to have turned out, —
he will have an army, equal if not fuperior to general Bur-
goyne*s, from the only accounts we have obtained. — Befides
this consideration, it is moft probable that general Burgoyne
will fufpend his operations till general Howe makes a move
ment and an effort on his part. His deiigns, I think, are moft
limciueftiouably againft the Highlands, and that he will atr-
temptthe execution as fcon as poffible.
We have been prevented marching to-day by the rain ;
but, as foon as the weather permits, fhall proceed as expe-
clitiouHy as we can towards the North-river, and crofs, or
not, as flialT appear neceffai'y fror» circumftanccs.
In my lafl I took the liberty of fii'ggeftmg the propriety of
fending an active officer to animate the militia that may af-
femble for checking general Burgoyne's progrefs, and men
tioned general Arnold for that purpofe. Being, more and
more convinced of the important advantages that will refult
from his prefence and conduct, I have thought it my duty
to repeat my wifhes on the fubjecl:, and that he may, with*
out a moment's lofs of time, fet out from Philadelphia for
that purpofe.
When this arrives, it is likely general Howe's intention
will be well underftood : but whether it is or not, as there are
ftrong reafons to believe his operations will be up the Nortlv
river and on the eaft fide of it, I fhall take the liberty to re
commend
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 117
commend the fending on the North-Carolina and other con
tinental troops at Philadelphia, to join this army, unlefs
Congrefs have fome information that a ibuthern expedition is
Intended, of which I am not appriied.
If Congrefs have taken colonel Procter and his corps into
the fervice of the flares, it will be expedient for them to come
on with all the field-artillery which colonel FJowers the
commifTary may have ready. This I have been induced to
mention, having heard Congrefs were about to adopt theni^
$nd as our demand for artillerifts is great. I would aifo obr
ferve that the lituation of our affairs has become fo delicate
and embarraffing by the late misfortune we have experien
ced, that it is much to be wifhed fome expedient could be
come into, if there be any more efficacious than what has
been already recommended, for filling and completing the
{everal regiments. At prefent they only count in number,
but not in force, being moll fhamefully deficient in their juft
complements,.
Your letter of the eighth was duly received ; and, agree
able to your requeft, I communicated to generals Greene and
Knox the refoliition of Congrefs refpecting them and gene
ral Sullivan, the lafi of whom I have not ieen fince it came
to hand. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Half after eight, P. M. — I this minute received a let
ter of the ninth from general Schuyler, a copy of which, and '
of the proclamation alluded to, you have incloied. I fear
more and more that general St. Clair and his army are pri-
jfoners..
elgfit miles from Pompton Plains > July 14, 1777.
SIR,
I ARRIVED here this afternoon with the army, af
ter a very fatiguing inarch, owing to the roads, which nave
become extremely deep and miry from the late rains. 1 in-
tcud to proceed in the morning towards the North-river if the
I 3 weather
ii8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
weather permits? at prefent it is cloudy and heavy, and there
is an appearance of more rain.
By the exprefs who will deliver this, I juft now receiv
ed a letter from general Schuyler, advifmg for the 'firft time
that general St. Clair is not in the hands of the enemy. As
the exprefs has a large packet for Congrefs from general
Schuyler, I prefume they will be informed of all the intelli
gence he was pofleiTcd of refpecting our affairs in his depart
ment, and therefore fhall not trouble them with a copy of
his letter to myfelf upon the fubject. I ihouid be happy if
they had a more agreeable afpecl than they feem to have.
I have the honor to be, &c., G. W.
SIR, Camp near the Clove, July 1 6, 1777.
1 WAS yefterday evening honored with yours of the
fourteenth. — 1 have heard nothing from the northward fince
my la ft. — I this day received advice from Staten-Ifland, that,
on funday, feventy fail of the enemy's mips fell down from
the watering-place to the Hook : but whether they have
fince gope out to fea, I have not heard. Till I have more
certain information of the ftate of our affairs to the north
ward, and of general Howe's real intentions, I have conclud
ed to halt the army at this place, from- whence I can either
march forward or return as circumftances may require.
If general Naih mould not have begun his march before
this reaches you, be pleafed to order him to proceed as far as
Trenton only, and there wait my further orders. In cafe lie
Should have marched, be pleafed to difpatch an exprefs after
him, with orders to hult at Trenton.
I am pleafed to hear that you have taken colonel Pro&er's
porps of artillery into continental fervice. You wiJl be
kind enough to order them to join the army immediately :
for I expect the light artillery in a few days from the eaft-
ward ; and artillery-men will be wanted to man them.
I have no doubt but the militte from the weftern parts of
New-
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 119
New-England will turn out to general Schuyler's afiiftance,
as I hope thofe of this ftate and Jerfey wilt to mine, fhould
they be wanted.
I /hall he very happy if the committee of Congrefs can
arrange the commifTary's department in fuch a manner as
will fatisfy the officers concerned in the bufmefs, and at the
fame time ferve to fupply the army with more regularity than
has been done for fome time pad. I can affure you the com
plaints have been many of late, and not without foundation.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Camp at the Clove > July 1 6, 1777.
I BEG leave to congratulate Congrefs on the captivi
ty of major general Prefcot and one of his aides. The par
ticulars of this fortunate event you will find in the incloied
extract of a letter this minute received from general Spencer,
which, I prefume, are at large in the packet Mr. Greenleaf
will deliver. Lieutenant-colonel Barton who conducted the
enterprife, and the finall handful under his command, have
great merit. I fhall immediately propofe to general Howe
his exchange for that of major-general Lee, which, if acced
ed to, will not only do away one ground of controverfy be
tween general Howe and myfelf, but will releafe lieutenant-
colonel Campbell and the Heffian field-officers, and procure
the enlargement of an equal number of ours in his hands.
In mine of this morning t defired that colonel Procter's
regiment (hould join this army without lofs of time. Upon
confulting general Knox, we are of opinion they had better
halt at Trenton with general Nafli till further orders, as the
operations of general Howe are not yet perfectly underft'ood.
—I have nothing new from the northern department,— and
only to add, that I have the honor to be, with great refpect,
i\r, your mod obedient lervant, G. W.
120 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SiR, Camp at the Clove, July 18, 1777*
I JUST now received a letter from general Schuyler?
of the fourteenth inftant, inclofing the proceedings of the
council of war which he alludes to, a copy of which, and of
his letter, I herewith tranfmit. He reprefents matters in a
diftreffing point of view : — I believe they are bad ; but I
hope they are not fo alarming as they are painted by him.
My letter of the twelfth would advife Congrefs how far
his demand of necefTaries had or would be complied with. In
addition to the fupplies then ordered, I directed, a day or
two after, fix tons of mufket-ball to be forwarded to him
from Peekfkill with all poffible expedition, which, I doubt not,
have arrived at Albany. As to fending him more troops
than thofe mentioned in my letter above referred to, it is not
in my power ; and I am perfuaded the force he now has,
with fucli fuccour as may be had from the militia, if well
conducted, would greatly if not effectually flop general Bur-
goyne's progrefs.
General Arnold arrived here laft night, and will fet out
this evening for Albany. From his activity and difpofition
for enterprife," I flatter inyfelf his prefence and affifrance
in that quarter will be attended with happy confequences : I
am Well allured his utmoft exertions will be employed to
baffle the enemy's views : and, wiming that they may fuc-
ceed, I have the honor to Be, &c. G. W,
.'To the Committee of Congrefs, on a vljit to the Camp.
. GENTLEMEN,( Camp at the Clove, July 19, 1777.
THE little notice I had of your coming to the army,
and the mortnefs of your ftay in camp, will more than pro
bably occafion the omiffion of many matters which of right
ought to be laid before you ; and the interruption, which my
thoughts confiantly meet by a variety of occurrences, mutt
apologiie
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 121
apoIogiSe for the crude and indigedecl manner in which they
are offered.
The completion of the continental regiments is a matter of
fuch infinite importance, that I think no means mould be
left uneffayed to accomplim. it. Draughting, where the powers
of government are adequate, would be the fpeeclieft and mod
effectual : but if it mould be thought unadvifable to attempt
this mode, — next to it I would recommend that the bufmefs
of recruiting ihould be taken entirely ouc of the hands of
the officers of the army, and 'that earn date Should appoint
fome peribn of known activity (one, for inftance, who has
been a good under- Sheriff") in each county or townmip, not
only to recruit, hut to apprehend deferters ; — thefe perfons to
be liberally rewarded for each recruit and deiertcr whom
they ihall deliver, at dated periods and places, to officers ap
pointed to receive, discipline, and march them to the army ;
— none of thefe recruiters to have the {mailed power to a6t
put of their own didricts, but to be absolutely fixed to them.
A mode of this kind would, in my humble opinion; b'elefs
burderiiome to the public than the prefent,1— prevent the idle
habits which recruiting officers contract, not -only injurious -
to themfelves, but to others, — the mod effectual means which
can be devifed for the recovery of deferters,— the fured way
of keeping your regiments of equal drength, arid of making the
duty more equal in the detail of it : in a word, many valu
able advantages would refuit from it, whild I can fugged bufc
one reafon againd it, — and that (fully Satisfied I am), when
weighed in the fcale of intered, will not operate, — I mean', the
keeping fo many officers in camp, who rriight be Spared from
the duties of the field till the regiments are dronger than at
prefent. The fixteen additional regiments labor under fuch
difadvantages in fome dates, as to- render the interpofition of
Congrefs, in fome ihape or other; indifpenfably necefrary.
With refpecl to food, considering we are in Such an ex-
teniive and abundant country, no army Was ever wbrfe Sup
plied than burs with many efiential' articles of it. Our fol-
diers, the greated ^art of lad campaign and the whole of
this,
122 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
this, have fcarcely tafled any kind of vegetables,*— had but 1k-
, tie fait ;— and vinegar, which would have been a tolerable
fubftitute for vegetables, they have been in a great meafurc
Grangers to. Neither have they been provided with proper
drink : beer or cider feldom comes within the verge of the
camp, and rum in much too fmall quantities. Thus, to de
vouring large quantities of animal food untempered by veget
ables or vinegar, or by any kind of drink but water, — and
eating indifferent bread (but for this laft a remedy is provid
ed), — are to be afcribed the many putrid difeafes incident to
the army, and the lamentable mortality that attended us lafl
campaign. If thefe evils can be remedied, the expenfe and
trouble ought not to be obilacles : though fome kinds of ve
getables are not to be had, others are, which, together with
lour krout and vinegar, might eafily be had, if proper
.perfons acquainted with the bufmefs were employed
therein.
Soap is another article in great demand. The continental
allowance is too fmall: and, dear as every necefTary of life is
now got, a foldier's pay will not enable him to purchafe ; by
which means his confequent dirtinefs adds not a little to the
difeafes of the army.
I have no reafon to accufe the cloth ier-general of inatten
tion to his department ; and therefore, as his fupplies are in
competent to the wants of the army, I am to fuppofe his re-
fources are unequal. Ought not each (late then to be call
ed upon to draw fuch fupplies from the country manufac
tories, as can be afforded ? particularly of flioes, {lockings,
ihirts, and blankets, — articles indifpenfably necefTary, and of
which fcarce too many can be provided :— in the mean while,
£very provifion to be making, for clothing the troops uni
formly and warm in the winter. It is a maxim which needs
no illufhation, that nothing can be of more importance in
an army, than the clothing and feeding it well. On thefe
the health, comfort, and fpirits of ^he foldiers effentially de
pend ; and it is a melancholy fa6t., that the American army
are miferably defective in both thefe refpe£s. The diftrefs
7 moil
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
moil of them arc in for want of clothing is painful to huma
nity, difpiriting to themfelves, anddifcouraging to every officer.
It makes every pretenfion to the prefervation of cleanlinefs
impoffible, expofes them to a variety of diforders, and abates
or deftroys that military pride, without which nothing can
be expected from any army.
The confequence of giving rank indifcriminately is much
•to be dreaded : great diflatisfaclion has already arifen on ac
count of bellowing this on officers in the civil departments of
the army, on the inferior ftaff, waggon-m after, &c, who, by
cuftom, propriety, and every other motive, are excluded from
it in all well-regulated armies. The too great liberality
pra£lifed in this fcfpedl: will deftroy the pride of rank
•where it ought to exift, and will not only render it cheap,
but contemptible. It is the policy of all armies to make it
valued and refpe&ed, as a ftimulus to emulation, and an in
citement to bold and gallant undertakings : it muft be very
unadvifable therefore, in our infant ft ate of war, to adopt
novel cuftoms to bring it into difcredit, — which muft and
will be the confequence of making it too common, befides
the difguft it creates in others.
An auditor of accounts, to be conftantly with the army, is
absolutely requifite. It is impoffible for me, crowded as I am
with other bufmefs, to examine and adjuft the numerous
complex accounts of the army with that corredlnefs the pub
lic have a right to expect, before warrants pafs for payment ;
and, without doing it, great impofitions may follow. The
provifion for making regimental paymafters regulate all re-'
gimental accounts is altogether incompetent to the end pro-
pofed from it: for thefe men being appointed generally agree
able to the recommendation of the field-officers of the regi
ments they belong to, — afTociatingconftantly with the officers
of their corps, and in a great meafure under their control,—
cannot be confidered as fufficiently uninfluenced : nor are au
ditors at a diftance from the army of much ufe, as it would
require a delay not admilTible, to fend accounts to them to au
dit
124 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
<iit before they were pafled and paid in confequence of war
rants from the cpmmander-in-chief of the army.
A good geographer, to furvey the roads and take fketphes
of ti.e country where the army is to a£t, would be extremely
ufeful, and might be attended with exceeding valuable confe-
tjuences. He might with propriety have rhe chief direction
of the guides, and mull have a head to procure, govern, and
pay them. If fuch a peri on iliould be approved of, I wouHl
beg leave to recommend Mr. Robert Erfkine, who is tho
roughly {killed in this bulinefs, has already affifled us in make-
ing maps of the country, and has (as I am informed) uniformly
fappovted the chara6ter of a faft fricad to America.
A fmall travelling • prefs, to follow head-quarters, wrould
he productive of many eminent advantages. It would ena
ble us to give fpeedy and exact information of any military
tranfadlions that take place, with proper comments upon
them, and thereby fruftrate the pernicious tendency of falfe-
fooodand mifreprefentation, which, in my opinion, — of what
ever complexion they may be, — are, in the main, detrimen-
t-il to our cauie. If the people had a channel of intelligence,
that, from its ufual authenticity, they could look up to with
confidence, they might often be pr?ferved from that defpon-
ctency which they are apt to fall iiuo from the exaggerated
pictures our enemies and their emiffaries among us com
monly draw of any misfortunes we meet with,: — and from
that diffidence of truths favorable to us, which they muft
naturally feel from the frequent deception they are expofed
to by the extravagant colorings our friends often give to our
fucceffes. It would alfo be very uieful to difpatch buflnefs
in camp, being the moft expeditious means of taking copies
of orders or other matters that require to be difperfed, arxd
• would fave a good deal in returns and other papers we are
often obliged to get printed in Philadelphia. An ingenious
man, to accompany this prefs and be employed wholly in
writing for it, might render it fingulariy beneficial.
I am exceedingly embarrafled how to difpufe of the Frencji
officers
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
in general, but more efpecially the artillery
who are come out under the fandion of a compact. I can-
think of no other way than that of forming a feparate corps -
of them, ami draughting men from the whole line to com-
pofc that corps: but even this will be attended with many,
difagreeahle efleds : — among others this is not the lea&, that
officers will think themfeives much injured to have the men
they have had the trouble of vailing, taken from them and
given to others. There is fpmething in this which is dif-
couraging, and breaks the i'pirit of a good officer who pride*
himfelf in having a full and complete corps.
A doubt has arifen, whether a perfcn who belongs to any
of the United States of America, and who owed allegiance to
any of the faid flates, — that went to the enemy fome time pafl,
and iince that time has been lurking about any of the fortifi
cations, or about any of the encampments of the armies of the
United States, — plundering and driving off cattle to the ene
my, recruiting for them, or committing any other atrocious
crime, — or who is appointed an officer in the enemy's army,—
can be tried by a general court-martial, under the rcfoluiion
of Congrefs of the twenty-firft of Augufl, 1776, andpuniili-
ed as a fpy. — I have die honor to be, £cc. G. W.
. SIR, Camp, eleven miles in the Clove, ^idy 22, 1777.
WE have been under great embarrafliuents refpe&-
ing; the intended operations of general Howe, and ftill are,
notwithstanding the utmoft pains to obtain intelligence of
the fame. At prefent it would appear that he is. going out
to fea. By authentic information, there are only forty (hips
at New-York ; the reft are gone eliewhere, and have fallen
down between the Narrows and the Hook : between thefe
two places, the number, from the moft accurate obfervation,
was about one hundred and twenty yefterday. As I obferved
before, their defti nation is uncertain and unknown : but I
have thought it my duty to inform Congrefs of thefe fad's,
that
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
that they may give orders to the militia to hold themfelves in.
readinefs to march on the fhortefi: notice, in cafe Philadel
phia mould be their object. At the fame time I am to re-
queft that they will have a fufficient number of proper look
outs fixed at the capes of Delaware (to whofe accounts im
plicit confidence may be given), to make the earlieft reports
of the arrival of any fleet, — which Congrefs will tranfmit
me by the fpeedieft conveyance.
As the enemy will probably make many feints, and have
it Unhappily but too much in their power from their ihipping,
I would advife that the look-outs (hould be cautioned to be
extremely accurate in their ohfervations and reports, men
tioning, with as much preciiion as poffiblc, the number of
{hips that may appear. — Our fituation is already critical, and
may be rendered ftill more fo by inaccurate and ill-grounded
intelligence.
From the advices received on faturday, of the movements
of part of the enemy's ihips, and the frrong reafons there
were to fuppofe general Howe would pufh up the North-
river to co-operate with general Burgoyne, I detached lord
Stirling with his divilion to Peekfkill on funday morning:—
they croffed the rivrer that evening and the next morning.
This movement will prove unneceflary, {hould his deftina-
tion be to the fouthward. — I have alfo ordered general
Nixon s brigade from Peekfkill to reinforce general Schuy-
Icr, from his reprefentations of the inadequacy of his force
to oppofe general Burgoyne, and of the feeming backward-
nefs of the people in that quarter to afford him aid.
I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W.
P. S. I think the works at Billingfport well worthy of at
tention ; and it is expedient to effect their completion as foon
as poffible.
SlR, Head-Quarters, Ramapaugh, July 25, 1777,
I HAVE the honor to inclofe you a couple of letters
which mondeur Davout, the bearer of this, delivered me in his
behalf.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 117"
behalf. You will perceive by them that he is defirous of
entering into our lervice, and what his preteniions have been
in his own country. I have referred him to Congrefs to de
termine on what footing he is to ftandwith us. — -He requeils
me to mention that he would be glad of a decifion, and to be
informed at once what can be done, whether he can be em
ployed or not, and in what capacity.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Half -after eight, A. M. July 25, 1777.
I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you the inclofed
letter from governor Franklin, which came this minute by
cxprefs.— As Mr. Franklin was confined by order of Congrefs,
I could not think myfelf at liberty to anfwer him on the fub-
jedtof his requeft, and therefore have referred it to their con-
fideration. At the fame time I would obferve his fituation is
diftrefling, and muft interefl all our feelings, as I have no
doubt of the great indifpofition of his lady. — I ihould fuppcfe,
after his folemn afiurances, and being laid under fuch fur
ther reflricYions as Congrefs may judge neceflary to impofe
upon him, that he might be indulged to fee her. Humanity
and generofity plead powerfully in favor of his application,
and I am certain it will be duly confidered. If it is granted,
.he fliould have the earlieft notice, or the end and the views of
Congrefs may be disappointed in the death of Mrs. Franklin
before his arrival. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Camp at Ramapaugh, three miles from the Clove, July 25, 1777.
SIR,
I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you a copy of my
letter to general Howe, of the fixteenth inftant, propofmor
an exchange between generals Lee and Prefcot. I difpatched
it
ii$ GENERAL . WASHINGTON'S
it early the next morning, and prefume it got to hand on the
eighteenth. As yet I have not received his anfwer.
The amazing advantage the enemy derive from their fhips
nnd the command of the water keeps us in a ftate of conftant
perplexity and the moft anxious conjecture. We are not
yet informed of their deftination, nor can any plaufible con-
clufions be drawn refpecting it, at leait not fuch as appear
fatisfadiory. What renders the matter dill more difficult
and confuied, is their extreme inactivity and delay : for it
is certain they hcgan tr embark immediately after the eva
cuation of Amboy, and now remain between the Narrows
and the Hook, or were there when I was laft advifed upon
the fubje6t, I have two active officers, with an efcort, now
out, for the purpofe of intelligence, and for reconnoitring
their iituation from Fort-Lee and along the river in that
neighborhood.
Things being thus circumflanced, and various opinions,
as to their real obje6l, prevailing among us, — fome fuppofing
it to be Philadelphia, others the North-river, and others an
expedition more eafrerly, — -I would fubmit it to Congrefs
•whether the militia of the neighboring counties fhould not
O O
be immediately called to the firft, or at Cheiler, — the lower
counties, at Wilmington. This meafure appears to me highly
expedient, and no objection can lie againft it, of fufficient
validity to prevent it, as a few days muft certainly determine
their real defigns. Should they be againlr. Philadelphia, and
they have favorable winds, their voyage will be made in a
'ihort time, when it may be too late to obtain their aid, and
to arrange them properly for defence, fuppofing them to
co.ne in. I am the more induced to recommend this meafure?
as the feveral objects we have to attend to necefTarily oblige
this army to continue at a considerable diftance from that
place till their intentions are better underftood ; and as they
might by a fudden and rapid pufh attempt to effect fome ma
terial, capital flroke, before we could get there, unlefs there
is a refpe£table force to oppofe them: for, though no great
dependence
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 129
dependence can be put in a militia acting alone, nor a vigo
rous oppoiltion expected from them (from the nature of
things) to a difciplined, well-appointed army, yet their ops-
rations may be greatly retarded by them, and may be check
ed till other fuccours arrive. The report of a force, efpecial-
ly if it is in any wife refpeclable, let it be of what fort it mayj-
will have fome influence on their conducl:, and may prevent
enterprifes that would otherwife be undertaken.
From the intelligence we received on faturday evening that
a number of the enemy's {hips were {landing up the North-
river,— and in the courfe of that and the precedingr day, that
forty fail were in the Sound, going into Fairfietd harbor,— I
had not the leaft doubt in my mind but general Howe had in
view a ftroke againtr. the Highlands and the fortifications
there, and to co-operate with general Burgoyne. In confe-
quence of thefe advices I judged it expedient to move the ar
my the next morning, from our then encampment, towards
thofe pofts. Lord Stirling's divifion was ordered to take thai
route to KingVferry, and to pafs the river to Peekikill ; and
I proceeded myfelf with the remainder, which compofed the*
main body, by the route le'ading through the Clove towards
New-Windfor. We marched ovc'r a" very difficult and
rugged road till night, when we halted,— the firft divifioii
having advanced about eighteen nliles. In this fituation we
lay till yefterday morning, when, from the information re
ceived before refpecling the enemy's fleet being at and near
the Hook, and no further accounts of the {hips in the Sound,
a change in our meafures took place. Stephen and Lin-
Coin's divifions were ordered to proceed to Chefter, (there to
wait further directions, as a place front whence they may
move with much more eafe either to Philadelphia of Hud-
fon's river, being feven miles nearer the former, and equally
convenient to the latter), and general Greene's drvifion to
this ground. By dividing, and this arrangement, I am in
hopes our movements will be more expeditious, wherefoever
they may be neccfTary. —I have the honor to be, &c, G, W.
VOL. II. • K
130 GENERAL WASHINGTO N'S
P. S. In my letter of the twenty-third I mentioned I had
ordered Nixon's brigade as a further reinforcement to general
Schuyler: — I meant Glover's.
Four o'clock, P. M. — This minute I received a letter of the
twenty-fecond from general Schuyler, a copy of which, and
of its inclofure, I herewith tranfmit. His letter of the twenty -
firft which he mentions has not come to hand. — Things
feem ftill in an unpromiiing way in that quarter. — General
-Schuyler complains much for want of artillerids :— it is not
•with me to fatisfy his demands : he has at this time a much
greater proportion of artillerids than this army, — haying ro-
gard to the quantity of artillery.
After fealing my letter, I received, by exprefs from colonel
Moylan, a letter advifing that the fleet failed from the Hook
yefterday morning out to fea.
SIR, July the *, 1777.
I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you the inclofed
memorandum of warlike ftores wanted for an expedition to
the river St. John's, which I received in a letter from general
Heath, of the fixteenth inftant. — The memorandum was fent
that I might order the (lores to be fupplied. — Not knowing
that Congrefs have fuch an expedition in view at this time,
I do not conceive myfelf authorifed to comply with the requi-
lition, and therefore refer the matter to their conlideration, to
dire£t therein as they (hall judge proper : but I would beg
leave to bferve that I think the force, intended to be em
ployed upon the occalion, would render infinitely more im
portant fervices by reinforcing the northern army, and af-
filling in the repulfe of general Burgoyne. The progrefs of
his arms, and the deficiency in the quotas of -men exadted,
from the dates to compofe our army, feem to forbid expedi
tions for conqueft, and to demand our utmod exertions to
maintain what we already have. — Congrefs will be pleafedto
write to the Maflachufetts council on the fubjefr, and a line
» Blank in the original -.—probably July 27 or 28.
I tO
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 131
to general Heath, that he may know how to govern himfelf
refpe&ingthe application.
I have the honor to be, &c. G* W.
Crofs-Roads, Jixteen miles from Morrijlowtl^ o'clock, P. M.
Your letter of the a6th, with its inclofures, I met on the
road.. — The fubject of rank, which Congrefs have been
pleafed to fubmit to my confideration, Jliall have my atten
tion as foon as circumftances will admit, and the refult be
made known.
General Greene's divifion, confifting of Muhjenberg and
Weedon's brigades, is now here : it will proceed fix or feven
miles farther this evening. — Generals Sullivan and Stirling's
divifions have repafled Hudfon's river : — -the former will pro
ceed by this route, — the latter by way of Paramus and Bound-
brook or Brunfwic. — General Stephen, with his own and
Lincoln's divifion (general Lincoln being ordered to join
general Schuyler) is marching on a back road from Chef-
ter, through Suflex, to Howel's ferry on Delaware. — Moy-
lan's and Eland's regiments of horfe, which were pafturing
about Boundbrook and on the communication towards
Woodbridge, were ordered to march too on the firft in
telligence I received of the fleet's failing. — Morgan's corps
of light troops is alfo on the march through Brunfwic,
with directions to halt at Trenton till further orders, or
till he gets certain information of the appearance of the
fleet in Delaware. — I intend in like manner that lord Stir
ling's divifion ihall halt arid remain there or at Briftol,
till we have further information of the enemy. — From either
of thefe places they will be fufficiently near Philadelphia,
and may proceed in time on any emergency.
SlR, CoryeVs-Ferry, Jerfey, July 30,, 1777.
I DO rhyfelf the honor to inform you that I arrived
here on the twenty-eighth at night with general Greene's di
vifion, one brigade 'of which pafTed the river hat evening,
K 2 thai
132 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
that the whole might encamp the more commodioufly. Ge
neral Stephen, with his own and Lincoln's divifion, alfo ar
rived a little time after at Howel's ferry, four miles above this.
I have thought proper to halt the whole army at thefe two
places and at Trenton till our knowledge of the enemy's def-
tination becomes more certain. If the Delaware is their ob-r
jeer., we are now within two days' eafy march of Philadel
phia, and can be there in time, I truft, to make every necef-
fary difpofition for oppoilng them. — On the other hand, if
general Howe, by this expedition to fea, only means a deep
feint, and ihould turn his attention again to the North-river,
we can from hence reinforce general Putnam's army more
expeditioufly than if we were farther advanced.
The importance of my receiving the earliefl intelligence
of the fleet's arrival is apparent ; and Congrefs, I am certain,
will direct proper meafures for obtaining it, and alfo for
tranfmitting it to me in the mod fpeedy manner. If authentic
advice ihould be had of the fleet's coming into Delaware,
at the fame time that it is communicated to me it will be
proper that an exprefs fliould be fent to lord Stirling or com
manding officer at Trenton, to advance with all the troops
from thence. Should this not be done, the marching of th«
troops there will be confiderably delayed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Sl\, Cory el's, July 31, ten o'clock, A. M.
I AM this moment honored with yours of five o'clock
this morning, and have accordingly fet the army in motion.
One divifion had crofTed the Delaware the day before yefter-.
day ; and I am in hopes the whole of the troops now here
will be able to reach Philadelphia to-morrow evening. —
Lord Stirling's divilion lies juft in my rear, and will move on
with us.— I propofe fetting off for your city as foon as I can
get the chief part of the army over.
1 am, with the grcateft refpeft, &c. G. W,
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 133
SlR, Philadelphia, Augufl 3, 1777.
YOUR favor of this date, with its inclofures, is now
before me. — At the fame time that I exprefs my thanks for
the high mark of confidence which Congrefs have been pleaf-
cd to repofe in me by their refolve authorising me to fend an
officer to command the northern army, I fliould wifh to be
cxcufed from making the appointment. For this, many rea-
fons might be mentioned, which, I am perfnaded, will occur
to Congrefs upon reflexion. — The northern department, in
a great meafure, has been confidered as fepanite, and more
peculiarly under their direction ; and the officers command
ing there, always of their nomination. I have never inter
fered further than merely to advife, and to give fuch aids as
were in my power, on 'the requifitions of thofe officers. —
The prefent fituation of that department is delicate and eri-
tical, and the choice of an officer to the command may
involve very interefting and important confequences.
It is certainly neceiTary that a body of militia mould
be immediately called out to reinforce the northern army.
In the conference which your committee honored me with yef-
terday evening, I mentioned the number which I thought
fufficient; but my opinion on this point, and the apportioning
them to the different dates, I wifli to fubrnit to Congrefs
who can beft determine the quotas that ftiould come from
each.— I would only obferve that Connecticut and New-
York are already, and may be again, called on, to afford
fuccours to the army at Peekfkill.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W?
SIR, Camp near Gerrnantown, Auguft 6, 1 777-
I BEG to be informed whether Congrefs have writ
ten or mean to write, themfelves, to generals Schuyler and St.
Clair to repair to head-quarters, or whether they expect rne
tp do it. My reafon for this is, the refolves for their recall
K 3 (tranfmitted
134 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
(tranfmitted in your favor of the fecond inftant) do not
mention how the fame mould be communicated.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Camp near Germantown, Auguft 7, 1777*
YESTERDAY evening I received a letter from
general Schuyler, of the firft inftant, a copy of which,
and of its inclofures, I do myfelf the honor of tranfmit-
ting you. By thefe you will perceive that our affairs at
the northward have experienced no change for the better ;
— on the contrary, that they are in a more unpromifmg
train. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Camp near Germantown, Augitjl 9, 1777-
INCLOSED you will be pleafed to receive copies of
two letters and other papers, which juft now came to hand
by different expreffes. — General Heath's letter of the fecond
inftant feems to make the intelligence refpecling the fleet,
which he had obtained before, vague, if not entirely ill
founded. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Camp near Germantown, Avguft 9, 1777*
I HAVE been duly honored with your letter of yef-
terday, and with its inclofures. —I mall pay attention to the
refolves tranfmitted ; and, as foon as circumftances admit,
{hall propofe to general 'Howe an exchange between lieu
tenant-colonel Campbell and the Heffian field-officers, and a
like number of ours, of equal rank, in his hands.
I would beg leave to lay before Congreis a copy of a re
port made by a board of general officers, held on the feventh
inftant, to confult of feveral matters refpecling the army. In
the courfe of their deliberation they took into confideration
the fubje& reported. — I ihall only add that this matter has
beea
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 135
been long complained, of by the officers, and the more fo as
the indulgence they pray could not nor can be ever attended
•with the leaft poffible injury to the public, and is what I
believe is allowed in moft armies. — Congrefs, I am perfuad-
ed, will give it their attention, — and, if no good objections of
a public nature appear agaiiift the meafure, will grant what
the officers wifh and the board have recommended.
I perceive by the refolves of the thirtieth ultimo and firil
Inftant, for recalling generals Schuyler and St. Clair, that
they are directed to repair to head-quarters. I alfo fin4
that a committee had been refolved on, to digeft a mode for
inquiring into the reafons for evacuating Ticonderoga and
Mount-Independence, and into the conduct of the general
officers in the northern department at the time of the evacu
ation. — As thefe gentlemen have received the letter upon this
fubject by this time, and will probably be down in the courfe
of a few days, I fhall be glad to be informed what I am to
do with them when they arrive. I may be then at a great
diftance from this, — and, in fuch cafe, mould be at a Ipfs
what to fay, or how to conduct myfelf refpecting them,
without receiving fome directions, which I requeil: to be
favored with by the earlieft opportunity,
I 'have the honor to be, dec. G. W.
Head-Quarters^ Camp near Germantow n, Augujl *, 1777.
SIR,
THE difappearance of the enemy's fleet for fo many
days rendering it rather improbable that they will again re
turn, I have thought it advifable to remove the army back to
Coryel's, where it will be near enough to fuccour Philadel
phia, {hould the enemy, contrary to appearances, ftill make
that the object of their next operation ; and will be fo much
the more conveniently fituated to proceed to kthe northward,
* Probably Auguft 9.
£ 4 ftould
i-36 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
lliould the event of the prefent ambiguous and perplexing
Situation of things call them that way. I was the mdre in
clined to this flep, as the nearaefs of the army to the city, —
befides other difad vantages, — afforded a temptation both to
officers and men, to indulge themfelves in licences inconfift-
ent with difcipline and order, and confequently of an inju
rious tendency.
But before my departure I efteem it my duty to communi
cate to Congrefs the refult of my examination into the nature
of the river-defence proper to be adopted, according to the
means in our pofieflion, to prevent the fuccefs of any attempt
upon Philadelphia by water. I therefore beg leave to lay be
fore Congrefs what appears to me moft eligible, confidering
all circumftances, and comparing my own obfervations with
the different opinions of the gentlemen whom I confulted on
the occafion.
It is generally a well-founded maxim, that we ought to en
deavor to reduce our defence as much as poffible to a cer
tainty by collecting our firength and making all our prepa
rations at one point, rather than to rifk its being weak and in
effectual every where, by dividing our attention and force to
different objedls : — in doing this we -may difable ourfelves
from acting with fufficieut vigor any where, and a mif-
fortune in one place may pave the way for a limilar one in
another. In our circumftances we have neither men, can
non, nor any thing elfe to fpare, and perhaps cannot with
propriety hazard them on objecis, which, being attended with
the greater!: fuccefs we can promife ourfelves, can be produc
tive of only partial and indeciiive advantages, and which may
poffibiy fail of the end propofed, — may have fome ferious ill
conferences, — and muft at all events have fome difadvan-
tages.
Jt is then to be confiuered where our defence can be moil:
effectually made, — whether at Biilingfport or at Fort-Ifhnd. —
It appears to me that the laft deferves greatly the preference :
Biliingfport has but one row of chevaiix-de-iriie, Fort-Ifland
has
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 137
has three, and, in addition to them, a boom, and another
chevaux-cle-friie ready to be funk in the channel on the ap^
preach of the enemy : of courfe the obftru&ions, in this
refpect., are four -times as great at the one as at the other.
The gallies and floating batteries that could be brought for
the defence of the chevaux-de-frife at Billingfport would be
unable to maintain their ftation when once die enemy were
in pofieffion of the commanding ground on the Jerfey fide, to
'which they would be entirely expofed ; and, notwithftand^
ing the works railing there, — even fuppofing them complete,
— the flrongefl advocates for making our defence in this
place do not pretend that the event can be protracted more
than fifteen or twenty days at moft ; at the end of which time,
we fhould be obliged, with the lofs of our cannon at leaft,
•to abandon the defence, and leave it in the power of the ene
my to remove or deilroy the chevaux-de frife at pleafure.
Nor is it by any means certain that a fmgle row of che
vaux-de-frife would be an impenetrable barrier to the enemy's
ihips : — experiments have been made, that lead to a contrary
fuppofition ; and if they fhould hazard one (which it might
be well worth their while to do with fome of their lefs valua-r
ble fhips) under favor of a leading breeze and tide, and
fhould fucceed in it, — the confequence might be the lofs of
our gallies and floating batteries, which I apprehend might
be intercepted, and (with the aflifbnce of their gallies and
fm all armed veiFels) taken: and this would greatly weaken
the oppofition we might otherwife give at Fort-Ifland, and
rend powerfully to render it abortive.
But if they fhould not attempt this, contenting themfelves
with fafer though flower operations, I have already obferved
that it is agreed on all hands, in fifteen or twenty days they
would be able to poffefs themfelves of infallible means of
"fruftrating our oppofition there by the capture of our works.
And if we add to tin's that it might very poffibly happen in
lefs time, — if from no other caufe, yet from the garrifon be*
ing intimidated by a confcioufnefs of its own inferiority and
inability
J38 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
inability to fupport itfe-lf againfl a fo much fuperior force ot
numbers, which might occafion a conduct dcfiruclive to it-
felf, — -there will remain no fufficient reafons to juflify the
leaking this the principal point of defence.
At Fort-Iiland, the boom and chevaux-de-frife are an am*
pie feeurity againft any forcible imprefnon of the enemy's
{hips, which it would be imprudent in them to attempt. — On
the Jerfey fide, the fituation of the ground is fuch, that the
gallies, floating batteries, and forts, employed in the defence
of the obflructions, would have little to fear from any batteries
erected there. Red-bank feems by its elevation to be the on
ly advantageous fpot for annoying them: but as it is com
puted to be above nineteen hundred yards from Fort-Mand,
the diflance is rather too great to allow any battery raifed
there to act with fuch effect as to be able to filence our fire.
—On this fide, the ground, by dikes and fiuices, may be laid
under water to fo considerable an extent as to leave no dan
ger of our river force being annoyed from thence ; for
which purpofe fuitable preparations ought at once to be made,
againft it be neceffary to carry them into effect.
But though a battery upon Red-bank would not, in my
apprehenfion, be able to prevent the efficacy of our defence,
or give any material diflurbance to Fort-Ifland in particular,
yet it might ferve to make the fituation of fome of our gal-
lies rather uneafy ; and this perhaps makes it worth while to
pre-occupy it in order to keep it out of the enemy's hands,
erecting a fmall but ftrong work there, capable of contain
ing about two hundred men, with fix or eight pieces of light
cannon and a proportionable quantity of ilores. As the ap
proaches to it are difficult on account of the adjacent creeks,
and a communication can be kept open between it and our
army, — by which means the garrifon might receive fuccours
from time to time, — though we could not expect to make
it impregnable, yet we fhould have a profpect of holding it
much longer than we could the work at Billingfport. In the
polition, which, from my prefent view of it, I Ihould think
it
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 139
it beft for our army to take, the left wing of it would be
nearly oppcfite to Red-bank, and therefore in a condition to
relieve and iupport it ; — whereas Billingfport being more re
mote from the probable pofition of the army, and detached
from any other work, could not eafily derive any afuftance
from without, and muft rely wholly upon its o\vn ftrength.
Either at Billingfport or at Fort-Ifland, I believe there is
not much to be apprehended from the fire of the enemy's (hips
unaided by land batteries : for, as by the information of
thofe who ought to be acquainted with the fa£l, not more
than three mips can act a-breaft at a time at either place, — •
and as the gallies, not requiring the fame depth of water,
can extend themfelves at pleafure, and befides carry a fupe-
rior weight of metal to that which frigates commonly have,— —
a much fuperior fire could be oppofed to them than any they
could bring, and (from the difference of fize and make be
tween the frigates and gallies) to much better effedfc than
theirs. The comparative extent of the nver at Billingfport
and at Fort-Ifland has been affigned as a motive of prefer
ence to the former, — the river being narrower there than at
the latter, and fuppofed to admit of fewer (hips operating at
a time : but as it is aflerted by the gentlemen in the river de
partment, that the fand-banks and fhallownefs of the river in
moft places near Fort-Ifland compenfate for the width of it,
and make it impoffible for more than three ihips to acl: toge
ther at a time, — this reafon for preferring the pofition at Bil
lingfport feems to have no foundation. And if we confider
that our whole force of gallies and floating batteries would
be collected at Fort-Ifland, afMed by the fort itfelf,— and
that it would not be fafe to truft them all out for the defence
of Billingfport for fear of the difafter already fuggefted, — it
feems evident enough that this is the place where our defence
may be moft fuccefsfully made.
One of the moft weighty considerations with me is that
our army, as before intimated, could more conveniently
co-operate with the defence by water here than at Billings-
port.
i4o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
port. The ground on this fide is better fituated here than at
the other place : and the army being fo much nearer the city,
It is fo much the lefs likely that the enemy ihould be able, by
a circuitous route, to fall into the rear of it, and feparate it
from the city, — which is a circumflance that ought carefully
to be attended to.
Some gentlemen are of opinion that our principal depen
dence ought to be upoirFort-Ifland and its appendages ; but,
•at the fame time, that we ihould make a part of our defence
at Billingfport,— propofmg, for that purpofe, that the works
there ihould be continued on the new contracted fcale, to be
garriibned by four or five hundred men. The reafons for
this are, that it would ferve to delay the enemy, and give our
army time to come up, fhould it be at any diftance, — and that
it would prevent thole difagreeable imprcffions which never
fail to accompany the abandoning works that have been
once raifed, and plans that have been once in execution,
efpecially when the pcrfons concerned in the defence of them
repofe a degree of confidence in them, — which is f aid to be
the cafe in the prefent inftance.
But thefe reafons may perhaps not be fo conclufive as it is
imagined: for it is a mieftion, whether, if our army was fo
remote as to make fuch a delay neceflfary, the enemy would
.embarrafs themfelves with removing the water obftru&ions in
thefirft place, but would not rather debark and make a rapid
march by land, poire/ling themfelves of the city, and of thofe
.petitions which would make the furrender of the gallies, &c,
in fome fort a natural confequence. And it is worthy of
confideratiou whether the abandoning the works begun at this
time, which will probably allow fome lejfure for any difa-
,gr,eeable imprerTions it might make to be effaced, will not be
Jefs injurious than tjie abandoning them hereafter when they
have coft more cxpenfe, time, and labor, and in the critir
cal moment of an attack, when every misfortune, and the
lofs of the moil inconfiderable pod, is too upt to have a much
7 woric
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 141
worfc influence on the mind, than the real importance of it
will juftify.
Add to this the poffibility that the garrifon, difmayed at
the approach of numbers fo fuperior to their own, might
not anfvver the end expected from them, and might even be
loft by their timidity ; — the certainty of lofmg jhe cannon af
ter the time limited for the defence, and thereby weakening
that of the upper polition;— the chance of lofing the gallie£
and floating batteries requifite for covering the chevaux-de-
frife, by a hazardous and fuccefsful attempt to break through
them, — and the garrifon with them, which would fall of
courfe upon fuch an event. — It is however fubmitted to Con-
greis to balance the advantages and difadvantages, and deter
mine accordingly. 1 would only beg leave to give it clearly as
my opinion that our principal dependence ought to be upon
Fort-Ifland and the obflru6Hons there, and that Billingfport
ought not by any means to be defended more than as a fe-
condary objecl: : and, to that end, I would recommend that
the works on Fort-Ifland, — which, on their prefent conflruc-
tion, are by no means calculated for the defence of the che-
vaux-de- frife, — be immediately altered and adapted to that
purpofe, taking care at the fame time to make them defen-
fible with a fmall number of men againfr. any fuddeu attempt
to land in boats and carry them by affault.
But, whatever fcheme is purfued, I could wifh the greateft
diligence and difpatch may be ufed in bringing it to matu
rity : for, though the danger which lately threatened feems
to have fubfided, there is no knowing how foon it may re
turn : and certainly it will be prudent to do every thing in
our power to be prepared for it, as we can lofe nothing by
being fo, and may lofe a great deal by neglecting to improve
the interval of leifure they have given us, fhouid it be their
intention to revifit this quarter. As the means to this, it
will be neceflary to furnifli Mr. Coudray, to whom the fu-
perintendency of thofe works is intrufted, with a compe
tent number of workmen, tools, and what other things he
may
142 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
may want, to enable him to carry them on with propriety^
cafe, and expedition.
On the whole, I am of opinion that the "obflru&ions in
the river, with the help of gallics, floating batteries, and with
tolerable induftry to put the land works in a proper flate,
will be extremely formidable to the enemy, and authorife a
reafonable expectation of their being effectual. The fire-
fhips alfo will contribute to this end : for though there are
many obftacles to render their fuccefs precarious, and a hap
py concurrence of circumstances is neceflary towards it,-—
any of which failing may difappoint the project, — and there
is therefore no room to be fanguine, yet there is fome pro
bability of its fucceeding ; and they will be at lead an em-
bairaffment and terror to the enemy, and will oblige them
to ufe precautions inconvenient to them, and ferviceable
to us.
As an accurate knowledge of the country is effential to a
good defence, — and as the enemy's approach may be fudden,
and we may be called to act, without having time, when it
happens, to examine it fumciently if it is not done before
hand, it would anfwer a valuable purpofe to have it imme
diately carefully reconnoitred, and fketches taken of all the
landing-places, great roads, and by-paths, encamping grounds,
heights, rivers, creeks, morailes, and every thing that it
can be of any importance to know. Marcus-Hook feems
to be the moft advanced place at which it is conjectured the
enemy will land : the furvey fhould therefore comprehend
all the country between that and Philadelphia. Monfieur
Du Coudray has offered his fervice, with his engineers, to do
this bufmefs, if authorifed by Congrefs, only requiring that
they may be fupplied with horfes and a hand or two. If
Congrefs approve of it, I (hall be glad they may be defired
to enter upon it without lofs of time.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 143
SIR., Sunday evening *V9 o'clock*
I THIS minute received your favor of this after
noon, tranfmitting intelligence that a fleet was feen off Sina-
puxent on the feventh inflant. I was about three miles eaft-
ward of the Billet tavern, on the road leading to Coryel's fer
ry, when the exprefs arrived. — The troops are encamped
near the road, where they will remain till I have further ac
counts refpecting the fleet, which you will be pleafed to for
ward to me by the earlieil conveyance after they come to
hand. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W»
* Augujl 10.
Head-Quarters, Camp at Crofs- Roads, Auguft 12, 1777.
SIR,
GENERAL Newcomb having informed me that he
had collected a body of about five hundred Jerfey militia at
Woodbury, I have defired him to endeavor to keep them to
gether while matters remain in their prefent uncertainty and
fufpenfe, and to employ them in whatever works may be car
rying on at Billingfport or Red-bank for the defence of thi
fiver. I mention this, that, if it fhall be thought proper,
monfieur Du Coudray may be directed to call for the af-
fiftance of thofe militia accordingly.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.
Head -Quarters, Camp at Cr of s~ Reads, Augujl 15, 1777-
SlR,
MONSIEUR Du Coudray has laid before me a plan
of the river, by which it appears that, for a considerable
fpace between the two fand-banks on the eaft fide cf Fort-
Ifland, there is, from four to four and a half fathoms depth of
144 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
water. According td this reprefentation, there would b#
room for three frigates to lie between thofe banks in fuch a
pofition as to enfilade the works at Fort-Ifland^ and make it?
difficult to maintain them.
There are but two ways of remedying this inconvenience ;
—one by having afufficient number of chevaux-de-rfrife funk
at the entrance between the two banks ; — and the other, by
having the left flank of Fort-Ifland fortification fupported by
a good battery capable of refifting the cannon of the fhips^
and obliging them to quit their flation. The firft is evidently-
preferable, becaufe the efficacy of it will be more certain.
A few chevaux-de-frife properly placed might effectually bar
all accefs to the fhips : but there is a poffibilify that any bat
tery we can conftrucl: might be overpowered by the fire of
the Shipping : and as we have few cannon, and Fort-Ifland
is itfelf a marfhy fpot, incapable of affording earth for the
batteries neceffary to be railed upon it, which muft.be
brought from the oppofite fhore, — it would not be prudent to
multiply works there more than cannot be avoided. It would
alfo.be a great advantage gained, to fecure the iiland from
annoyance except in one point, and that in front, from only
three fhips at a time, — which would be effected by flopping
up the pafTage between the two banks with chevaux-de-frife.
I flioukl therefore think it of importance to have this mea-
fure immediately adopted and carried into execution.
With great reipecl:, I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W*
— —
SIR, NeJJiaminy Camp, Augujl 1 6, 1777.
I DO myfelf the honor of addrefling a few lines to Con-
grefs-cn a fa'bjedt which appears tome of infinite importance,
and to have a claim to their ferious attention. The matter
I' allude to is the exorbitant price 'exacted by merchants and
Venders of goods for every necefTary they difpofe of. I am
fcnfible the trouble and rifk in importing give the adventurers
a right to a generous price, and that fuch, from motives of
policy,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 14$
policy, fhould be paid : but yet I cannot conceive that they,
indirect violation of every principle of generolity, ofreafon*
and of juftice, Ihould be allowed (if it is pofTible to reftraiu
them) to avail themfelves of the difficulties of the times, and
to amafs fortunes upon the public mini
This grievance is now an object of univerfal complaint,
and of univerfal apprehenfion : and the conferences that
are likely to refult from a continuance of it excite in every
well-affected mind the moft difagreeable feelings. The in-
clofed copy of a memorial from a part of the Pennfylvania
officers mews their fentiments upon the fubject j and I am
perfuaded thofe of the whole army are fimilar, as they have
and do experience the grofs abufes they complain of. I know
that ways and means, for preventing this evil wholly, are
difficult (if practicable) to find out: but I Ihould hope that
Congrefs themfelves, or the fupreme powers in the refpective
flates, through their recommendation, tr.iiy devife fomc
mode by which it may be reclreiTed in part.
I think there are two meafures-, which, if adopted and put
under proper regulations, would be of coniidcrahle laving to
the public, and to the army, at the fame time that they
would contribute a good deal to do away part of the uneafinefs
of the latter, ariftn-g from the enormous prices they are com*
pelled to pay for neceffaries* The firft is the eftablifhmenC
of public tanneries in three or four of the dates, Under care
of a judicious commiflary or director, to which all the hides
of the cattle killed for the army {hould be carried* and tanned.
There {hould be alfo deputies to attend the army to collect
the hides: and it appears to me that cltablifhingthe tanneries
in different ftates> — for inflance one in this, and another in
Connecticut, — will be much more advifable than fixing on
ly one in either of them ; as the bufmcls may be carried GIA
more extend vely> with more convenience, and at lefs ex-
penfe, than if the raw hides were to be tranfported to one
place only, from which probably there would be a neceflity
of carrying them the whole diftance buck again alter they
. II. L \vcie
.146 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
were dreffed. — This fubject was under confideration of Cori-
greis once before, and a commiffary (if I recoiled, a Mr.
Philips) appointed, who declined the office. Leather is of
fuch effential ufe, and ib indifpcnfably neceflkry for {hoes and
other purpofes in the army, that too much care nor too ef
fectual means cannot be taken to procure it.
What I have ventured to mention, if gone into, will add
much to our fupplies, and, I am certain, will prevent the high
and unjuilinable prices demanded tor this article when in the
hands of private owners. Beildes, at thole tanneries, a num
ber of a r tills, fuch as ihoe and harnefs makers, might be em
ployed to work the leather up.
In like manner, fince our imports of fpirit have become fo
precarious, nay impracticable, on account of the enemy's
fleet which infefts our whole coaft,— I would beg leave to
fugged the propriety of creeling public diftilleries in dif
ferent ftates. — The benefits ariling from the moderate ufe of
ftrong liquor have been experienced in all armies, and are
not to be .difputed, — In the prefent lituation of affairs, our
foldiery cannot obtain fuch fupplies as are abfolutely necef-
fary ; and if they are fortunate enough to get any, it is from
the futlers at moft extravagant rates, and at fuch as are in
credible to tell of. This is a fource of much complaint, and,
I (hould hope, may be removed by appointing proper per-
fons to buy grain and diftil it for the army, — large quantities
of which may be eafily procured, and on reasonable terms,
in many of the (rates.
In refpeft to the obfervation in the memorial about rations,
it is certain the prefent allowed value is by no means fuf-
rkient; nor does it anfwer the purpofe intended. Since that
was fixed, provifions, like every other article, though not
from the fame caufes, have become extremely dear ; and
what at that time was a juft equivalent, is totally inadequate
now. This matter, I doubt not, will have the attention of
Congrefs, and fuch regulations be made refpe6iing it, as muy
be right and equitable. .
• T:
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 147
It appears to me from the information I have received, that
two companies — each to condfr of fixty men at leaft — under
proper officers, of unfufpec~ied attachment, fpirit and activity,
- — (hould be immediately raifed, to guard the laboratory and
Itores at Carlille. Their fecurity is of conftderable import
ance, and ought to be attended to. Thefe companies, belldes
ferving as a guard, will be frequently of ufe as efcorts and con
voys to ftores. — If Congrefs ihould deem them neceffary,
and order them to be enlilled, yet I would recommend that
they fhould not be raifed as merely ftationary or local, — hav
ing found from experience that regiments or companies form
ed upon fuch a footing enter upon other fervices with great
difcontent and reluclance, though the cccaiion ihould be-
never fo p reding.
In a letter of the thirteenth of June, I fubmitted to Con
grefs an application from the officers of cavalry refpe6Hng
their horfes, — whether they were to be provided at their own
orthe'public expenfe. lalfo laid before them, in a letter of the
fifth of July, captain Sullivan's requisition for pay. — I {hall
be glad to be honored with their determination upon thefe
fubjects, and alfo in general refpe6Ung the line of conduct I
{hould purfue as to the pay of officers taken prifoners at any
time before the clofe of the laft campaign, who have been
permitted to be on parole ; — and whether there is to be any
diflindion between fuch of them as are continued by new
appointments, and thofe who are not. I have frequent ap
plications in thefe inftances, and wifhto know how to acl:.
Since the exprefs from general Schuyler left this, I receiv
ed a letter from governor Clinton, a copy of which, and of
its inclofures, I herewith tranfm.it, as they give a much more
favorable account of the affair at Foi t-Schuyler, tUan was
contained in his letter.
I have the honor, to be, &c. G. W.
i48 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Ncjkatniny Camp, Augujl 17, 1777*
THE unfavorable fituation of our affairs in the
northern department, and the prefling applications of general
Schuyler for aid, induced me to write fome time ago to gene
ral Putnam to hold Vancortlandt and Livingfton's regiments
in readineis to embark for Albany, in cafe I fhould find it
ntceiTary, and the fuccours he received of militia would juf-
tify rhe meafure. 1 have the honor to acquaint you, that, by
a letter from him, of the lixteenth, which came to hand yef-
terday, he informed me, that, without waiting for further direc-
rioas, he had ordered them to- proceed with all pomble expe
dition, as the kite advices from that quarter fccmed to make
a' further augmentation of the army requiiite.
Be fides theie, I have, contrary to- my willies, but from the
aeccflrty of the cufe, ordered colonel Morgan to- march im
mediately with his corps as an additional fupport. I hope
chcy will be of material fervice, particularly in oppofrng the
kivage part of general Burgoyne's forcer which, from every
'u count, fp reads a general alarm among the inhabitants, and
affects the minds of the militia not a little, who have not been
.•mich accutroined to their mode of warfare..
1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Htad-Quarters, Camp at Crofs-Roads, Augujl 17, 1777.
SIR,
COLONEL Portail, for himfclf and in behalf of the
gentlemen with him, has made different applications to ms
for horfes and fervants ; and I have been in a manner under
the necefTity of furnifhing them by way of loun, till they
can be otherwife provided. They expecl: thefe things to be
found them at the public expenfe ; and inform me that the
matter is now before Congrefs, whofe determination they
look for every .moment. I have taken the liberty to men*
lion this, becaufc I fhould be glad, if any thing of the kind
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 149
w Intended, that it might be done as foon as convenient ; or,
if it is not, that they may be informed their expectations are
not well founded. This will put them upon providing for
themfelves, and prevent their repeating their applications to
me on a fubje£t which I am not aoithorifed to do any thing
in.— I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
S IK, Nefliamlxy Ca mp , Auguft 1 8 , 1777.
I LAST night had the honor of vow favor of the
fcventecnth, with its inelofure. You will perceive by my let
ter of yefterday, tranfmitted by favor of the marquis De la
Fayette, that I had been fo happy as to anticipate the views
of Congrefs by ordering colonel Morgan to march with his
corps to the northern army.
I have the honor to be, &c. G< W»
SIR, Camp, Bucks County, Augujl 20, 1777.
I DO myfelf the honor to forward you a packet which
Juft came to my hands from general Schuyler. In his letter
to me he communicates an agreeable account of the face of
affairs at Fort-Schuyler : I therefore do myfelf the pleafure
of inclofmg you an extract,
I have tl>? honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIP., Camp at Nefiaminy, Augujl 21, 1777.
SINCE I wrote to you on the twelfth inftant on the
fubjedt of the militia under the command of general New*
tomb, I have received another letter from him, which you
have inclofed.-r-By this it appears that the men were not em
ployed in any way while they were at Red-bank, and that
they are now anxious to get home to their farms, as they
fee no immediate occafion for their fervices. As I had in
mcufurc put thern under the direction of moufieur Di^
L 3 Coudray,
1 50 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Coudray, I did not chufe to give them a difcharge without
confulting you, though in my opinion they had better be fuf-.
fcred to go home than be kept difcontented, as they \viil turn
out with more fpirit when they are wanted again. The bearer
waits upon you for your determination.
1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head- Quarters, Bucks County, Aug, 21,1777..
I DO myfelf tlie honor to inclole you a copy of
doctor Franklin's letter in favor of count Pulafki. of Poland*
by whom this will be handed to you. I fome time ago had
a letter from Mr. Deane, couched in terms equally favorable
to the character and military abilities of this gentleman. —
How he can with propriety be provided lor, you will be heft
able to determine. — He takes this irom me as an introductory
letter, at his own requeft.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, NcJ/iaminy Camp, Augujl 2 1 , 1777.
FROM the time which has elapfcd fince general
Howe departed from the capes of Delaware, there is the
ftfongeil reaibn to conclude that he is gone far either to the
eaftward or fouthward, and with a defign to execute fome
determined plan. The danger of the lea, — the injury his
troops mufr fuftain from being fo long confined,— the lofs of
time, fo late in the campaign,— will fcarcely admit a fuppefi-
tion that he is merely making a feint, and ftill intends to re
turn either to Delaware or the North-river without perform
ing fome enterprife fail in another quarter. The probability
is in favor of a fouthern expedition, becaufehe has been feen,
fince his departure from the capes, off Sinapuxent, fleering
a fouthern courfe,— and becaufe, had his deiiination been to
the eailward, his arrival there, from the general (late of the
winds,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 151
winds, mnft have announced it before this, or his fleet would
have been difcovered by fome of the cruifers on that coaft.
If he is gone to the fouthward, he muft be gone far that
\vay : for, had Chefapeak-bay been his object, he would have
been there long fmce, and the fact well efrablifhed. Beyond •
that, there is no place fhort of Charlefton, of fufficient im
portance to engage his attention. The extenfive commerce,
— the vail accumulation of military and other ftores in that
town and its dependencies, — with the eclat it would give his
arms if he mould unfortunately take it, — afford him ftronger
inducements to direct his operations there, than he could pof-
iibly have elfewhere.
Matters being thus circumstanced, an important qucition
arifes, — how this army is to be employed ? — If his intentions
are fuch as I have fuppofed them, it appears to me that an
attempt to follow him would not only be fruitlefs, but would
be attended with the moil ruinous confequences. The dif-
tance is fo immenfe that general Howe might accompli fli
every purpofe he had in view, before we could poflibly ar
rive to oppofe him ; and fo long a march through an un
healthy climate at this feafon would debilitate and wafte a
principal part of our force. Added to this, — after we had
made a coniiderable progrefs, he might eafily reimbark his
troops and turn his arms againft Philadelphia or elfewhere,
as he fliould think proper, without our being in a condition
to give the leaft aid.
As thefe, and many other reafons which will readily oc
cur to Congrefs, will ihew the impracticability of our courr
tera&ing general Howe in that quarter with any good effect,
\\c have no qther alternative left than to remain here idle and
inactive, on the remote probability of his returning this way,
— or to proceed towards HudfonVrivcr, with a view of oppof-
ing general Burgoyne, or making an attempt on York-Iiland,
as the fituation of affairs mall point out. A fuccefsful Ptrokc*
with refpeft to either would be attended with the moft fignal
advantages, and would be the heft compenfation we could make
L 4 for
152 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
for any lofles we may fuftain to the fouthward. Befides
thcfe confederations, — if, after all our conjectures and reafon-r
ing upon the fubject, general Howe fhould be gone to the
caft ward to co-operate with Mr Burgoyne, the army will be,
by the movement propofed, fo far on its way, to prevent, 1
hope, the fucceis of his enterprife.
The above reafons led me to call a council of general of
ficers this morning, to take the fubjeft of removing the.
troops from hence into confuleration : and I am happy to
inform Congrefs they were in fentiment with me upon the
occapop, as they will perceive by a copy of the proceedings
then had, which I do myfeif the honor of laying before them.
Neverthelefs, as it is a movement whjch may involve the moft
important confequences, I have thought proper to fubmit it
tq Congrefs for their deliberation and decifion. If it is deem
ed expedient, we have perhaps not a moment to lofe in car
rying it into execution j and, under this perfuafion, 1 have
fent colonel Hamilton, one of my aides, (who will have the
honor of delivering this] to bring me the refult of their
opinion.
As the northern department has been a]l along confidered
feparate, and in fome meafure diiljncl:, and there arc fpecial
refolvcs veiling the command in particular perfons, — in cafe
it fliould herc:iftcr appear eligible to unite the two armies, it
mav perhaps be neceffary that Congrefs fhould place the mat^
tcr upon fuch a footing as to remove all fcruples or difficul
ties about the command, that could poffibly arife on my ar
rival there. This I requeft, from a difpofition to harmony,
and from my knowing the ill and fatal confequences that
have often arifen from fuch controverfies, and not from the
moft difiant upprehcnfion that one would take place upon
fuch an event. — The thing however is poUihle ; and to
guard againft it, can do no injury.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. That I may not appear inronfiftent, to advife, and to
^61 Before I obtain an opinion; — I beg leave to mention that
I fhall
OTFICIAL LETTERS, 155
I fhall move the army to the Delaware to-morrow morning*
to change their ground at any rate, as their prefent encampr
men! begins to be difagreeable, and would injure their health
in a ihort time. Our forage alfo begins to grow fcarce
here.
SIR, NeJ/iaminy Camp , Auguft 21, 1777,
I AM this moment honored with yours of this morn-
iiig, containing feveral pieces of intelligence of the fleet's hav
ing been feen off the capes of Virginia on the fifteenth in
fant. I fhall, in cpnfequence of this information, halt upon
my prefent ground till I hear fomething further.
Colonel Pinckney of South-Carolina paid me a vifit two
days ago.--He informed me that the military ftores in Charles
ton and the neighborhood were immenfe, and that he did
not believe (hat die governor or commanding officer there
had had the leafl intimation of the fleet's having flood to the
Southward ; and he feemed very apprehenfive, that, if Charles
ton was their object, they would find them lulled into fecu-
rity, and quite unprepared for an attack. — As I cannot yet
think that general Howe ferjoufly intends to go into Chefa-
peak, I would by all means adviie that an exprefs be imme
diately difpatched (if one has not already gone) to warn
them of their danger, to let them prepare in the bcft manner
for defence, and to advife them to remove all fupernumerary
.ftores.
1 fhall immediately cajl upon governor Livingfton to fur-
pifh the number of militia from the ftate of Jerfey, demanded
by requifition of Congrefs, to garrifon the forts in the High
lands, while the New-York militia march to reinforce the
northern army. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. Wf
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Head-Quarters, Camp at Crofs-Raads, Aitgitft 22, 1777.
SIR,
I AM honored with your favor containing the intel
ligence of the enemy's arrival in Chefapeak-bay, and the re-
folution of Congrefs thereupon. — I have, in confcquence of
this account, fent orders to general Nafli immediately to em
bark his hrigade and colonel Procter's corps of artillery, if
T.cflbls can be procured for the purpofe, and to proceed to
Chefler, — or, if veflels cannot be provided, to haften towards
that place by land with ail the difpatch he can. I have alfo
ffcre&ed general Sullivan to join this army with his divifion
as fpeedily as poflible , and I have nTued orders for all the
troops here to be in motion to-morrow morning very early,
with intention to march them towards Philadelphia, and on
wards.
I am happy to find Congrefs have ordered the removal of
the {lores from Lancafter and York, to places of greater fafe-
ty, which is, without doubt, a very proper and neceflary mea-
f live.-— With much refpect and efteem, I have the honor to
be, fir, your moft obedient fervant, G. W.
SIR, Augujlis, 1777.
I BEG leave to inform you that the army marched
this morning, and will encamp, I expedl, this evening
within five or fix miles of Philadelphia. To-morrow morn
ing it will move again, and I think to inarch it through the
city, but without halting. I am induced to do this, from the
opinion of feveral of my officers and many friends in Phila
delphia, that it may havefome influence on the minds of the
diiaffc&ed there, and thofe who are dupes to their artifices
and opinions. The march will be down Front and up Chcf-
cut-ftreet, and, I prefume, about feven o'clock.
Notwithftanding the arrival of the enemy's fleet in Chefa-
peak-bays and the feeming probability that general Howe
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 155
•will debark his troops and attempt fomething, yet I would
take the liberty to mention that I think the feveral works for
the defence of the city fhould be carried on with the ufual in-
duflry, and that no pains fhould be omitted to complete them.
I would alfo advife that the fame look-outs for intelligence
(hould be continued at the capes, and the earlieft information
communicated of any thing material : for, though the fleet is
in Chefapeak-bay, the enemy may pufh in a number of vef-
fels with troops, and make an effort to effecT: fome ftroke
againft Philadelphia by furprife. Such an event does not
feem probable while they have a larger mew of force in a
neighboring ilate : but it will be prudent to guard againfr
it. — I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.'
P. S. I think fome directions fhould be given general Ann-
ftrong refpe&ing the militia.
SIR, Che/ler, Augiijl 25, 1777, eight o'clock,
I LAST night had the honor of your favor of the
twenty -fourth, with its inclofures. — No letters came for you
from general Schuyler ; and therefore, agreeable to your re-
tjueft, I tranfmit you a copy of one I received from him, and
of the material papers which it covered. Among the copies,
you will find general Burgoyne's inftruclions at large to lieu
tenant-colonel Baum, pointing out the objects of his com
mand when he was firft detached. What we had before
was after he marched, and was an anfwer to a report htf
had received from him. — There was alfo a miftake in
his name before, being called Bern in the copies fent by ge
neral Lincoln.
I (hall be happy if the account refpecling Staten-Ifland
fhould prove true : — I hope it will.
Two divifions of the army moved this morning, and will
proceed after a ihort halt near this place to refrefh thcra-
felves : the remainder will continue on their ground to day,
in order to reil and recover from the fatigue of the march
yerterday
156 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
yeflerday and the clay before. After break fail 1 intend to fe*
out for Wilmington with the lighNhorfe, to reconnoitre the
country, and to obtain the beft information I can rcfpecling
the enemy. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
P. S. The publication of general Burgoyne's inftru&ions,
with a few comments, I think might be attended with many
advantages,
&R, IFllmitogton, Auguft 25, 1777, Jix o'clock, P, M<
THE inclofed intelligence has juil come to my hands.
General Greene's and general Stephen's divifions are within a
few miles of this place. I (hall order them to march imme
diately here. The two other divifions halted this day at
Derby to refrefh themfelves ; but they will come on as cxpe-
ditioufly as pofTible. — There are about five hundred Pennfyl-
vania militia at Chcfter and Marcus Hook, that are armed :
there are a number more unarmed. — 1 have ordered all the
armed immediately down, J do not know what number of
militia of thi^s ftate are yejt colje&ed : but I am told they
turn out with great alacrity.
There are a quantity of public and private (lores at the
Head-of-Eik, which I am afraid will fall into the enemy's
hands if they advance quickly : among others, there is aeon*
fiderable parcel of fait. Every attempt will be made to favc
that. — When I get my force collected, I (hall difpofe of it in
the moft advantageous manner in my power. To this end, I
purpofe to view the grounds towards the enemy in the morn
ing : I am yet a ftranger to them,
1 have the honor to be, &c. G, W-
ll'ilmingitn, Augufi 17, 1777.
I TllfS morning returned from the Head-of-Elk,
which I left laft night. — In refpe& to the enemy, I lurre no-
7
OFFICIAL LETTERS. t$f
thing, new to communicate : — they remain where they de
barked firir. I could not find out from inquiry what num
ber is landed, nor form an eftimate of it from the diftant,
view I had of their encampment. But few tents were to be
feen from Iron-hill and GrayVhill, which are the only emi
nences about Elk. — I am happy to inform you that all the
public (lores are removed from thence, except about feveu
thoufand bufhels of corn. This I urged the commHTary there
to get off as foon as pofTible, and hope it will be effected in
the courfeof a few days, if the enemy fho&ld not prevent,— •
which their fituation gives them but too eafy an opportunity
of doing. The fcarcity of teams in proportion to the demand
will render the removal rather tedious, though I have di
rected the quarter-mailer to fend fome from hence to expe
dite the meafure.
A part of the Delaware militia are flationed there j and
about nine hundred more from Pennfylvania are now on the
march that way. I alfo intended to move part of the army
that way to-day, but am under the neceility of deferring it
till their arms are put in order, and they are furnimed with
ammunition, — both having been greatly injured by the heavy
rains that fell yefterday and laft night.
Fhavc the honor to be, &c. G, W;
SIR, Head-Quarters, fVilmlngtony Auvuft 28, 1777.
HAVING endeavored, at the felicitation of the count
*
De Puhlki> to think of fome mode for employing him in
our fervice, there is none occurs to me, liable to fo few in-
conveniences and exceptions as the giving him die command
of the horfe. This department is (till without a head, as I
have not, in the prefent deficiency of brigadiers with th«
army, thought it advifable to tuke ome from the foot for
that command. The nature of the horfe fervice with us be-
iag fuch that they commonly act in detachments, a general
officer with them is lefs nece-flary than at the head of the
brigades
158 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
brigades of infantry. In the abfence of general Smallwooc!
who is ordered to put himfelf at the head of the Maryland
militia, we (hall have two brigades without general officers.
But though the horfe will fufFer lefs from the want of a
general officer than the foot, a man of real capacity, expe
rience, and knowledge in that fervice, might be extramely
ufeful. The count appears, by his recommendations, to
have fuflained no inconfiderable military character in his owa
country : and as the principal attention in Poland has been
for fome time pad paid to the cavalry, it is to be prefumed
this gentleman is not unacquainted with it. — I fubmit it to
Congrefs how far it may be eligible to confer the appoint"
rnent I have mentioned upon him : they will be fenfible of
all the objections attending the meafure, without my parti-
cularifing them, and can determine accordingly.
This gentleman, we are told, has been, like us, engaged
m defending the liberty and independence of his country, and
has facrificed his fortune to his 'Zeal for thofe objects. He
derives from hence a title to ourrefpecl:, that ought to ope
rate in his favor, as far as the good of the fervice will per
mit : but it can never be expected we (hould lofe fight of
this. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Wilmington^ Augujl 29, 1777.
ON my return to this place laft evening from White-
Clay creek, I was honored with yours of the twenty -feventh,
with fundry refolves of Congrefs, to wrhich I ihall pay due-
attention.
The enemy advanced a part of their army yefterday to"
jGray's-Hill about two miles on this fide of Elk,— -whether
with intent to take poll there, or to cover while they remove
what {lores they found in the town, 1 cannot yet determine.
— -I do not know what quantity of private property remained :
but of the public there were feveral thoufand bumels of corn
and oats, which might have been removed alfo, had not moft
9 of
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 159
of the teams in the country been employed by private per-
fons in bringing off very valuable goods.
Our light parties yefterday took between thirty and forty
prifoners : twelve defeiters from the navy and eight from
the army have already come in ; but they are able to give lis
.very little intelligence. They generally agree that their
troops are healthy, but that their horfes iuffered very much
by the voyage.
By a letter from general Gates which you were pleafed to
tranfmh me yefterday, he requefts that commiffions may be
fent to brigadiers Glover, Poor, and Patterfon, which I beg
the favor of you to do by the return exprefs. The two laft IQ&
theirs with their baggage at Ticonderoga, and general Glo
ver had none. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W-
SIR, Wilmington* Augvjl 30, 1777,.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you yefter
day, nothing of importance has occurred, and the enemy-
remain as they then were. — I was reconnoitring the country
and different roads all yefterday, and am now fetting out on
the fame bufmefs again.
Senlible of the advantages of light troops, I have forme!
a corps under the command of a brigadier, by draughting a
hundred from each brigade, which is to be conftantly neat
the enemy, and to give them every poffible annoyance.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W-
Ten o* dock. — This minute twenty-four Britifh prifoners ar
rived, taken yefterday by captain Lee of the light-horfe.
SIR, Wilmington, September I, 1777*
THE lateft and moil material intelligence which I
have obtained refpecling the enemy, you wi.l find in the iri^
u papers which I do myfelf the honor of traufmittmg co
) •'"•
I . far the enemy have it in view to extend thernfelves
in
160 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
in a line from bay to bay, I cannot determine : but the idea
has taken place with many ; and it is faid to be founded on
their hints to fome perfons, who,— from accident in fome
mftances, and perhaps choice in others, — have had a more
familiar intercourfe with them. I cannot fuppofe they have
any fuch deilgn, or, if they have, that it can be more than
temporary for procuring fupplies of provifions.
General Howe's declaration is agreeable to his eonftant
ufage, and is what we might reafonably expect. The only
difference is, the prefent exhibition is ftyled a * declaration?
It is another effort to feduce the people to give up their
rights, and to encourage our ibldiery to defert. The fa6h
contained in the deposition of Francis Alexander, which
you have alfo inclofed, feem to be oppofed to that regularity
and diicipline which are promifed by the declaration.
Yefterday there was fome (kirmiiliing between one of our
advanced parties and one of the enemy's, in which they were
obliged to retreat with the lofs of an officer and three men
killed, according to report. — We had one private wounded*
I have received no particular accounts refpecling the Mary
land Eaftern-Shore militia : from the 'bed Information I have,
a great many are well difpofed to turn out, but are prevented
giving their aid through the want of arms. — Apprehending
that the militia there would ftand in need of an officer to ar
range them, I wrote to general Cadwallader, reqiiefling his
good offices, which I am told have been exerted, — Colonel
Gift is now gone down, and I expert will move on as foon
as poffiblc, with fuch as are armed, towards the enemy.—-*
General Smallwood is gone to take the command of thofe oil
the Weflern-Shore, of whom I hear many are colle&ing : —
but I have no authentic advices on the fubjeft.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
Will it not be advifable to order colonel Richardfon's re
giment from their prefent ftation, to march and join the
Ea item- Shore militia ?
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 161
SIR, Wilmington^ September I, 1777.
AT half after twelve o'clock I was honored with yours
of this morning, with its feveral inclofures. — I fhall make in
quiry refpedHng the workmen in the militia, and will order
all to be detached, that can be fpared.
The intelligence from the northward is very interefting,
and I hope will be fucceeded by other fortunate events. — I am
forry general Arnold did not arrive fooner : if lie had, it is pro
bable the enemy would have furTered coniiderably in their re
treat. — I flatter myfelf that we fhall have nothing more to ap
prehend in that quarter this campaign, and that the difgracc
and difappointment they have met with will produce a favor
able change in the difpofitions of the Indians.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. You will be pleafed to fend the letter for colonel
Hughes by the eaftern poft to-morrow.
SIR, Wilmington, Sept. 3, 1777, eight o'clock, P. M.
I TPITS minute returned to bead-quarters where -I
found your favor of this date, with the refolves refpecting
general Sullivan, and colonel Richardfon's batallion.— I had
converfed with general Sullivan upon the fubject, and ob-
ferved to him that it was neceffary an inquiry mould be had
relative to the affair of Staten-Ifland, as his conduct was
cenfured, and much diflatisfaclion prevailed. He was fenfl-
fible of the propriety of the meafure, and exprefled a defire
that it mould take place, provided he could have the benefit
of general Smallwood's teftimony, who was on the expedi
tion. — That gentleman happens at this time to be in Mary
land ; which muft neceflarily delay the inquiry, unlefs fome
mode can be agreed upon for obtaining his fentiments upon
the matter.
.
This morning the enemy came out with a considerable
force and three pieces of artillery, againfl our light advanced
corps, and, after fome pretty fmart fkirmiihing, obliged
VOL. II. M them
i6z GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
them to retreat, — being far Inferior in number, and without
cannon. — The lofs on either fide is not yet afcertained : ours,
though not exa&ly known, is not very confiderable : theirs,
we have reafon to believe, was much greater, as fome of
our parties, compofed of expert markfmen, had opportuni
ties of giving them feveral clofe, well-dire&ed fires, — more
particularly in one Initance, when a body of riflemen form
ed a kind of ambufcade. — They advanced about two miles
this fide of Iron-Hill, and then withdrew to that place, leav
ing a piquet at Couch's mill, about a mile in front. Our
parties now lie at White-Clay creek, except the advanced
piquets, which are at Chriffciana bridge.
On monday a large detachment of the enemy landed at
Cecil court-hcwife; and this morning I had advice of their
having advanced on the Newcastle road as far as Carfon's
tavern. Parties of horfe were fent out to reconnoitre them,
which went three miles beyond the Red-Lion, but could
neither fee nor hear of them ; whence I conjecture they filed
off by a road to their left, and fell in with their main body. —
The defign of their movement this morning feenis to have
been to difperfe our light troops who had been troublefome
to them, and to gain pofleflion of Iron-Hill, to eftabliih a
poft moft probably for covering their retreat in cafe of acci
dents-— I have tlie honor to be9 &c. G- W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, WilmlhgiQn^ Sept. 5, 1777.
SINCE I did rnyfelf the honor of writing to you the night
before iait, the enemy have remained entirely quiet. — A per-
ion who came exprefs from general Rodney informs me that
the enemy's fhipping fell down from Cecil court-houfe on
tuefday laft ; but how low, he does not know. I have
defired generai Rodney to inquire into this matter, and, if
it be true, to fend perfons along the bay fhore to fee where
they lie. — General Maxwell, who is juft come up from the
line?, confirms the account of the fhipping having fallen
down Elk : but it is thought to be with a delign of going up
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 163
the other arm of the bay for the convenience of watering
near the mouth of Sufquehanna.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. We have not been able to afcertain the enemy's lofs
in the late action any other way than by a woman who
came from their camp yeflerday : — file fays ftie faw nine
Waggon-loads of wounded. I think this probable, becaufe
we had about forty killed and wounded ; and, as our men
were thinly pofted, they muft have done more damage upon
a clofe body, than they received.
SIR, Newport, September 7, 1777.
HIS excellency being out reconnoitring, ana bufily
engaged in the affairs of the army, I have the honor to ac
knowledge his receipt of your letter of the fixth, with the
refolutions inclofed, which came to hand yeflerday afternoon*
In refpecl: to the militia requefled of Jerfey, his excellency
is doubtful whether they can be obtained : for governor
Livingfton, by a late letter, informed him that he had no
expectation that more than three hundred, of the thoufand
called for to garrifon the pods in the Highlands, would
march, notwith (landing he had ifRied orders for that pur-
pofe ; and that three weeks would probably elapfe before
that number werit. If the requifition can be complied with^
he Has no doubt of general Dickinfon's exertions, and is fatis-
fied of the propriety of appointing him to the command. This,
he imagines, would have followed of courfe, as he is major-
general of all the militia in the flate, and has given ample
teftimony, as well of his capacity as of hisfirmnefs and bravery*
By deferters and other intelligence, his excellency was in
formed lafl night that the enemy's whole force left Elk yef-
terday* and advanced on the road towards Chrifliana. The
deferters added that they had difenc umbered themfelves of all
their tents and baggage, and had fent them back and reim-
barked them. All their {hips, except two or three which
are fhipsof war, are faid to have fallen down the bay, below
M 2 the
i64 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the mouth of Saflafras. — We have had no information to
day of any further movements ; and I believe their main bo
dy lies about Iron-Hill.
I have the honor to be, dec. R. H. HARRISON.
P. S. The deferters faid they had deflroyed a good deal of
*he corn, &c, they found in ftore.
SIR, Eight miles from Wilmington. Sept. 9, 1777.
THE enemy advanced yefterday with a feeming in
tention of attacking us upon our poll: near Newport. We
waited for them the whole day ; but they halted in the even
ing at a place called Milltown, about two miles from us. —
Upon reconnoitring their fituation, it appeared probable that
they only meant to amufe us in front, while their real intent
was to march by our right, and, by fuddenly paffing the Bran-
diwine and gaining the heights upon the north fide of that
river, get between us and Philadelphia, and cut us off from
that city. To prevent this, it was judged expedient to change
our pofition immediately : the army accordingly marched at
two o'clock this morning, and will take poft this evening
upon the high grounds near Chad's ford. — We have heard
nothing circumftantial from the enemy this day : when I do,
I fhall immediately tranfmit you an account.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Chad's Ford, September 10, 1777*
YESTERDAY evening I received the honor of your
letter of the ninth, with its feveral inclofures — I have written
to general Putnam to detach the fifteen hundred men men
tioned by Gongrefs, and inclofe my letter upon the fubje6t,
which you will be pleafed to forward to him by the earliefl
opportunity.
in refpe<5i to the fubject of monfieur Du Coudray's letter,
I would beg leave to obferve, however eligible the meafure
might otherwife be which he recommends, an attempt to car
ry
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 165
ry it into execution at this time would anfwer no valuable
purpofe, as the work in all probability could not be more
than marked out when it would be wanted. I would alfo
add that I do not conceive any great advantages could be de
rived from it, fuppofmg it could be completed,— as we are
certain the enemy will never attack lines which they can avoid.
If they were obliged to approach Philadelphia by a particular
route, in fuch cafe no exertions ihould be fpared to creel
works, and the adoption of the plan would be highly expe
dient.
The enemy are now lying near Kennet's Square, and in a
tolerably compact body. They have parties advanced on th*
Lancafter road, and on thofe leading over this ford and to
Wilmington. Manoeuvring appears to be their plan. I
hope, notwithflanding, that we fhall be able to find out their
real intended route, and to defeat their purpofes.
By light-horfemen this inftant come in, the enemy are in
motion, and appear to be advancing towards us. His excel*
lency is giving the neceflary orders, and getting the troops
under arms, which prevents him from figning this himfelf as
was intended at firft.
I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON.
One o'clock. — It is faid the enemy have halted.
SIR, Camp at Chad's Ford, September 10, 1777.
YOUR favor of this morning came to hand about
two o'clock. His excellency was then out, and ftill is. — I
have nothing material to inform you of refpe&ing the enemy.
— By the lad advices from our reconnoitring parties, they
had halted in a low ground ftrongly flanked by two hills,
about a mile below Welch's tavern. It is fuppofed they
moved from the poft they occupied this morning, for
want of water. — Some interefling event may take place
to-morrow, as they are within a convenient diftance to at
tack, if they have any fuch intention.
I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON.
M 3
166 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Chad's Ford, Sept. 11,1777, three quarters after 8 o'clock A.M.
SIR,
THE enemy are now advancing. Their prefent ap
pearance indicates a difpofitiori to purfue this route. If they
do, I truft they will meet with a fuitable reception, and fuch
as will eflablilh. our liberties. — They are now advanced near
the Brandiwine, and have fired feveral pieces of artillery.
I have the honor to be, &c. R. H. HARRISON.
SiR, Chadys Ford, 5 o'clock P. M. Sept. 1 1, 1777.
WHEN I had the honor of addrefling you this morn
ing, I mentioned that the enemy were advancing, and had be
gun a cannonade. —I would now beg leave to inform you
that they have kept up a briik fire from their artillery ever
fmce. Their advanced party was attacked by our light troops
under general Maxwell, who croffed the Brandiwine for that
purpoie, and had pofted his men on fome high grounds on
each fide the road. The fire from our people was not of
Jong duration, as the enemy preffed on in force, — but was
very fevere.
What lofs the enemy fuftained, cannot be afcertained with
precifion : but, from our fituation and the brifknefs of the
attack, it is the general opinion, particularly of thofe who
were engaged, that they had at leaft three hundred men kill
ed and wounded. — Our damage is not exactly known : bijt,
from the bed accounts wre have been able to obtain, it does
not exceed fifty in the whole.
After this affair, the enemy halted upon the heights, where
they have remained ever fmce, except a detachment of them
which filed off about eleven o'clock from their left, and
which has fmce parled Brandiwine at Jones's ford, be
tween five and fix miles above Chad's. The amount of it
i« cot known,— the apcounts refpe&ing it being various,
6 — fome
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 167
— fome making it two or three thoufand ftrong, and others
more.
Generals Sullivan, Stirling, and Stephen, with their divi-
flons, are gone in purfuit, and to attack it if they can with
any profpe£t of fuccefs. — There has been a fcattering loofe
fire between our parties on each fide the creek fince the ac
tion in the morning, which juft now became warm, when
general Maxwell pafTed over with his corps, and drove them
from their ground with the lofs of thirty men left dead on the
ipot (among them a captain of the forty-ninth), and a mirn-.
ber of intrenching tools with which they were throwing up a
battery.
At half after four o'clock, the enemy attacked general
Sullivan at the ford next above this, and the a6tion has been
very violent ever fmce. — It flill continues, — A very fevere
cannonade has begun here too ; and I fuppofe we fhall have
a very hot evening : — I hope it will be a happy one.
I have the honor to be, in great hafte, fir, your moft obe
dient fervant, R. H, HARRISON.
SIR, Cheftcr, Sept. II, 1777, twelve o'clock at night.
I AM forry to inform you, that, in this day's engage
ment, we have been obliged to leave the enemy matters of
the field. — Unfortunately, the intelligence received, of the
enemy's advancing up the Brandiwine and croffing at a ford
about fix miles above us, was uncertain and contradictory,
notwithiranding all my pains to get the beft. This prevented
me making a difpofition adequate to the force with which
the enemy attacked us on our right ; in confequence of which,
the troops firft engaged were obliged to retire before they
could be reinforced, In the midft of the attack on the right,
that body of the enemy, which remained on the other lide of
Chad's ford, croffed it, and attacked the divifion there under
the command of general Wayne, and the light troops under
general Maxwell, who, after a fevere conflict, aifo retired.—
M 4 The
168 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
The militia under the command of general Armflrong, be
ing pofted at a ford about two miles below Chad's, had no
opportunity of engaging.
But, though we fought under many difadvantages, and
were, from the caufes above mentioned, obliged to retire, yet
our lofs of men is not, I am perfuaded, very confiderable,— •
I believe, much lefs than the enemy's. We have alfo loft
feven or eight pieces of cannon, according to the bed infor
mation I can at prefent obtain. — The baggage, having been
previouily moved off, is all fecure, favingthe men's blankets,
which being at their backs, many of them doubtlefs are loft.
I have directed all the troops to aflernble behind Chefter,
where they are now arranging for this night. — Notwith-
ftanding the misfortune of the day, I am happy to find the
troops in good ipirits : and I hope another time we fhall com-
penfate for the lofles now fuftained.
The marquis La Fayette was wounded in the leg, and ge
neral Woodford in the hand : divers other officers were
wounded, and forne {lain ; but the numbers of either cannot
now be afcertained.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. It has not been in my power to fend you earlier in
telligence, — the prefent being the firft leifure moment I have
had fince the action.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Germanlown, Sept. 13, 1777.
I HAVE been honored with your favor of this date.
— I heartily wiih the works on Delaware were completed :
but I think, — and in this opinion my officers concur, — that
the fervice will be injured if any part of the continental troops
were now to be employed about them. If we mould be able to
oppofe general Howe with fuccefs in the field, the works will
be unneceffary; — if not, and J:e ihould force us from hence,
he will certainly porTeis himfelf of them. But, to prevent his
attempting it now, I have directed the meadows on Province-
Ifknd
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 169
Ifland to be overflowed immediately, and any other grounds
that may be thought necefiary for that purpoie. — The works
have been more peculiarly under the direction of monfieur
Du CouJray ; and I doubt not he will pay every attention to
their completion and fecurity, that the fituation of affairs will
admit of.
A part of the militia under general Armftrong will be poft-
ed along Schuylkill, to throw7 up redoubts at the different
fords, which will be occallonally occupied, whilfi I move to
the other fide with the main body of the army. — This difpo-
fition appears to me the rrioft eligible from a consideration of
all circumstances, and better than if any part of our prefent
force was to be employed at the forts. — If further reinforce
ments of the militia ihould come in, they perhaps may be
more properly afligned to that buiinefs than any we now
have.
Your letter refpecting general De Borre jull now came to
hand : I mall tranimk him a copy of it and of the refclution.
There can be no court of inquiry into his conduct at this
time : — as foon as the ftate of the army will admit, it will be
held. — I have the honor to be, 3tc. G. W,
Head-Quarters, near Germarilown, September 14, 1777.
SIR,
I HAVE the honor of yours of this morning, inclo£-
ing the copy of a letter from general Dickinibn. — In confc-
quence of the interefting information contained in it, I have
written to general Putnam, directing him to fend forward
a fecond detachment of a thouiand men in addition to the
former, as you will perceive by perufing the inclofed du
plicate of my letter to him, which you will be pleafed to
feal and difpatch as expeditioufly as poffible, left the original
fhduld by any accident mifcarry.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. You have alfo copies of other letters, by which you
will perceive the meafures I am taking, and which you
.
J70 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
will in like manner be pieafed to forward.— On feconcJ
thoughts,. I fhould be glad you would tranfmit the inclofures
open to general Dickinfon, for his perufal and information,
and to be forwarded by him.
SlR, Bwck Tavern, Sept. 15, 1 777, three o'clock P. M.
YOUR favor of yefterday, with its feveral rnclofures,
came to hand laft night. — Though I would willingly pay
every attention to the refolutions of Congrefs, yet, in the late
inftance refpedting the recall of general Sullivan, I muft beg
leave to defer giving any order about it, till I hear further
from that honorable body. — Our filiation at this time is cri
tical and delicate ; and nothing fliould be done to add to its
embarrafTrnents, We are now moft probably on the point of
another action : and to derange the army by withdrawing
fo many general officers from it, may and muft be attended
with many difagreeable if not ruinous confequences. Such
a proceeding at another time might not produce any bad ef
fects : but how can the army be pombly conducted with a
profpe£t of fuccefs, if the general officers are taken off in the
moment of battle ?— Cangrefs may rely upon it, fuch a mea-
fure will not promote but injure the fervice.
It is not my wifh to prevent or to delay a proper inquiry
into general Sullivan's conduit a fingle inftant, when the
circumftances of the army will admit : but now they prohibit
it, and (I think) the fufpenilon in his command alfo. The
recall of general St. Clair obliged me to part with general Lin
coln whom I could but ill fpare ; fo that the whole charge
of his divifion is now upon general Wayne, there being no
other brigadier in it than himfelf. — The Maryland troops, if
general Sullivan is taken away, will not have one general of
ficer, general Small wood being at the head of the militia com
ing from that flate, and general De Borre fufpended : — added
to this, colonel Gift, who commands one regiment of them, is
now from it by order. - In a word, fir, whether tjie charges
alleged againft general Sullivan are true pr falfe, or whether
KM
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 171
his conduct has been exceptionable or not, I am fatisfied the
resolution for his recall at this time was unhappily adopted,
and, if carried into execution, will not fail to add new diffi
culties to our prefent diftrefies : and I am obliged to obferve,
in juftice to my own character, that I cannot be anfwerable
for the confequences which may arife from a want of officers
to aflift me.
It gives me great pleafure to find general Gates is on fo
refpeclable a footing ; and I hope our affairs in that quarter,
in the courfe of a little time, will be in as profperous a train
as we could reafonably wifh.
The main body of the enemy, from the beft intelligence I
have been able to get, lies near Dilworthtown, not far from
the field of action, where they have been bufily employed in
burying their dead, which, from accounts, amounted to a
very confiderable number. — We are moving up this road to
get between the enemy and the Swedes' ford, and to prevent
them from turning our right flank, which they feem to have
a violent inclination to effect, by all their movements.
I would beg leave to recommend in the moft earnefr. man
ner, that fome board or committee be appointed, or fome
mode adopted, for obtaining fupplies of blankets for the
troops : — many are now without ; and the feafon becoming
cold, they will be injured in their health, and unfitted for fer-
vice, unlefs they are immediately provided with them. Our
fuppljes in this inftance, as well as in every article of cloth
ing, cannot be too great, as there are frequent lofles not ea-
fily to be avoided.— I would alfo obferve that I think, in point
of prudence and found policy, every fpecies of provifions
fhould be removed from the city, except fuch as will be ne-
ceflary to fupply the prefent demands of this army. I have
been told there are confiderable quantities in private hands,
which (hould not be fufFered to remain a moment longer than
.they can be conveyed away.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Camp between the Warren and J-Vhlte-Iiorfe
SIR, Taverns^ September 16, 177^.
I ARRIVED here lair. night with the army, and am
now fo far advanced as to be in a pofition to meet the ene
my on the route to Swedes* Ford if they fhould direct their
courfe that way. — Their fituationl believe, from the bed in
formation I have been able to obtain, is nearly the fame as it
•was yefterday evening when I wrote to you.
I have ordered all the troops to be refreshed this morning,
as they were late in getting to their ground laft night, and they
are nqw cooking their pro v ikon. In the mean time I intend
to fee my general officers, and to colledl their fentiments upon
the fubjeft of our next movement and operations.
General Smallwood was at Oxford meeting-houfe yefter-
diay. He has with him about eleven hundred and fifty rank
and file fit for duty ; but not more than eight hundred and
fixty or feventy are well armed, — fome are without any :
they want ammunition too and many neceiTaries. The for
mer I ordered on funday. — Colonel Gift is atChrifHana with
about feven hundred men, who will form a junction with
general Smallwood.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Ye How- Springs, September 17, 1777.
I HAVE been honored with your two favors of yef
terday, and their inclofures, to which due attention ihall be
paid*
The enemy feem now to be flraining every nerve to ac-
coflfiplifh their purpofe : but I truft, whatever prefent fuc-
eefs they may have, they will, ere long, experience a reverfe
of fortune.— If they have four thoufand men in the Jerfeys,
it is probable they have fomething more ferious in view than
a mere diverfion: but I am in hopes, when general M'Dou-
gai
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 173
gal comes to unite his force with the militia, general Dic-
kinfon will be ftrong enough efFedhially to make head
againft them.
Yefterday the enemy moved from Concord, by the Edge-
mont towards the Lancafter road, with evident defign to gain
our right flank. This obliged us to alter our poiition and"
march to this place, from whence we intend immediately to
proceed to Warwick.— We fufFered much from the fevere
weather yefterday and lafl night, being unavoidably feparat-
ed from our tents and baggage, — which not only endangers
the health of the men, but has been very injurious to our
arms and ammunition. Thefe, when we arrive at Warwick
we fliall endeavor, as foon as poflible, to put ao-ain into a
proper condition,— to do which, and to refrefh the men, arc
two principal motives for going there.
I have the honor to be, &c. , \
SIR, Camp near Pottos-Grove^ September 23, 1777.
I HAVE not had the honor of .addrefling you iince
your adjournment to Lancafter, and I fmcerely wifh that my
firft letter was upon a more agreeable fubjech — The enemy,
by a variety of perplexing manoeuvres through a country
from which 1 could not derive the leaft intelligence (being
to a man difaffe£bd) , contrived to pafs the Schuylkill laft
night at the Flat-land and other fords in the neighborhood
of it. They marched immediately towards Philadelphia, and
I imagine their advanced parties will be near that city to
night.
They had fo far got the flart before I received certain in
telligence that any confiderable number had crolTed, that I
found it in vain to think of overtaking their rear, with troops
harraffed as ours had been with contlant marching Iince the
battle of Brandiwine ; and therefore concluded, by the advice
of all the general officers, to march from this place to-morrow
morning towards Philadelphia, and on the way endeavor to
9 form
174 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
form a jun£Hon with the continental troops under general
M'Dougal from Peekfkill, and the Jerfey militia under gene*
ral Dickinfon, both of whom are, I hope, on this fide the
Delaware. — I am alfo obliged to wait for general Wayne
and general Smallwood, who were left upon the other fide of
Schuylkill, in hopes of falling upon the enemy's rear : — but
they have eluded them as well as us.
When I laft recrofled the Schuylkill, it was with a firm
intent of giving the enemy battle wherever I ihould meet
them, and accordingly advanced as far as the Warren tavern
upon the Lancafler road, near which place the two armies
were upon the point of coming to a general engagement, but
were prevented by a moft violent flood of rain, which con
tinued all the day and following night. When it held up, we
had the mortification to find that our ammunition, which
had been completed to forty rounds a man, was entirely ru
ined ; and in that fituation we had nothing left for it but to
find out a ftrong piece of ground which we could eafily
maintain till we could get the arms put into order, and a re
cruit of ammunition.
Before this could be fully effefted, the enemy marched
from their pofition near the White-horfe tavern, down the
road leading to the Swedes' Ford.— I immediately crofled the
Schuylkill above them, and threw myfelf full in their front,
hoping to meet them in their pafiTage, or foon after they had
pa!Ted the river.— -The day before yefterday they were again
in motion, and marched rapidly up the road leading towards
Reading.— This induced me to believe that they had two ob-
je6ls in view, — one to get round the right of the army, — the
other perhaps to detach parties to Reading where we had con-
fiderable quantities of military ftores.
To fruftrate thofe intentions, I moved the army tip on this
fide the river to this place, determined to keep pace with them :
but early this morning I received intelligence that they had
crofled the fords below. — Why I did not follow immediately,
I have mentioned in the former part of my letter : but the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 175
ftrongeft reafon againft being able to make a forced match is
the want of fhoes. MefTieurs Carroll, Chafe, and Penn, who
were fome days with the army, can inform Congreis in how
deplorable a fituation the troops a*e, for want of that necef-
fary article. At lead one thoufand men are bare-footed, aad
Jiave performed the marches in that condition,— I was tol<j of
a great number of flioes in the hands of private people in
Philadelphia, and fent down to fecure them: but I doubt the
approach of the enemy will prevent it
I have planned a method of throwing a garrifon into Foxt
Mifflin. — If it fucceeds, and they, with the afllftance of the
fliips and gallies> fhould keep the obflruclions in the river,
general Howe's fituation in Philadelphia will not be the inoS:
agreeable : for if his fupplies can be flopped by water., it
may be eafily done by land. To do both fhall be my utmodl
endeavor ; and I am not yet without hope that the aapiil-
tion of Philadelphia may, inftead of his good fortune, prov*
his ruin.
General St. Clair, who has been constantly with the army
for fome time paft, can give you many pieces of information
which may have efcaped me, and therefore I refer you to
him for many particulars-
If there are any fhoes and blankets to be had in Lancafler
«rr that part of the country, I earneftly entreat you to have
them taken up for the ufe of the army. I have been inform*
ed that there are large parcels of (hoes in particular there.
Finding that the inclofed came from colonel Gibfon, I took
the liberty of opening it, as I wanted much to know what route
he was taking.
I have ordered all the Virginia militia who are tolerably
armed to come forward and join the army. Thofe who have
no arms are to wait at Fredericlown in Maryland till they
hear whether any can be provided for them at Lancafter :
you will therefore be pleafed to make inquiry what number
can be procured there, and fend an exprefs to Frederic with
«rders for as many jnen to come forward, as there are arms.
I have the honor to be, &c. G> W.
176 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Camp, twenty miles from Philadelphia, Oftober 3, 1777.
SIR,
YESTERDAY afternoon I had the honor to receive
your favors of the thirtieth ultimo with their inclofures. — I
was much obliged by the accounts from the northern army,
though in general they had reached me before ; and I flatter
myfelf we (hall foon hear that they have been fucceeded by
other fortunate and interefling events, as the two armies, by
general Gates's letter, were encamped near each other.
I fhall pay due attention to the refolution you refer me to ;
and no exertions on my part fhall be wanting, to collecl: what
necefTaries 1 can for the army. This, I am perfuaded, will
be equally attended to by the honorable board of war ; and
I hope, by care and induilry, many fupplies may be obtained
to relieve our diftrefles, which, in the articles of fhoes, ftock-
ings, and blankets, are extremely great.
Since my letter of the twenty-ninth, no favorable change
has taken place in our affairs : — on the contrary, we have
fuflained an additional lofs in the capture of the Delaware.
She fell into the enemy's hands in a day or two after they
were in pofleffion of the city, and in a manner not yet well
underftood. — Some have fuppofed the crew mutinied,—-
.while another report is, that fhe was difabled in her rudder
by a {hot, and drove on fhore. — This misfortune takes off
the fuccefs of captain Biddle's cruife. — I will not dwell longer
on the fubjech Congrefs may reft aflured, all the means in
iny power fhall be employed to put our affairs in a more
agreeable train, and to accomplifh the end they fo earneflly
wifh. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Inclofed is a copy of general Howe's proclamation
ifTued the twenty-eighth ultimo.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 177
SIR, Camp near Pennibacker's Mill, Otfober 5, 1777.
HAVING received intelligence through two inter
cepted letters, that general Howe had detached a part of his
force for the purpofe of reducing Billingfport and the forts oil
Delaware, I communicated the accounts to my general of
ficers, who were unanimoufly of opinion that a favorable
opportunity offered to make an attack upon the troops which
were at and near Germantown. It was accordingly agreed
i that it fhould take place yefterday morning, and the follow
ing difpofltions were made.
The diviflons of Sullivan and Wayne, flanked by Con-
way's brigade, were to enter the town by the way of Chef-
nut-hill, while general Armftrong with the Pennfylvania mili
tia fhould fall down the Manatawny road by Vandeering's
mill, and get upon the enemy's left and rear. — The divifions
of Greene and Stephen, flanked by M'Dougal's brigade,
.were to enter, by taking a circuit by way of the lime-kiln
road, at the markeohoufe, and to attack their right wing ;
•and the militia of Maryland and Jerfey, under generals Small-
wood and Forman, were to march by th& old York road,
and fall upon the* rear of their right. — Lord Stilling, with
Nafh and Maxwell's brigades, was to form a corps-de-re-
ferve
We marched about feven o'clock the preceding evening,
and general Sullivan's advanced party, drawn from Con-
way's brigade, attacked their piquet at Mount Airy or Mr.
Allen's houfe about fun-rife the next morning, which pre-
fently gave way ; and his main body, confiding of the right
.wing, following foon, engaged the -light infantry and other
troops encamped near the piquet, which they forced from
their ground. — Leaving their baggage, they retreated a confi-
derable diftance, having previously thrown a party into Mr.
.Chew's houfe, who where 'in a lituation not to be eafily for
ced, and had it in their power, from the windows, to give us
VOL. II. N n?
fy8 GfeNERAL WASHINGTON'S
no fmall annoyance, and in a great meafure to ohflru& ouf
advance.
The attack from our left column under general Greene
began about three-quarters of an hour after that from the
right, and was for fome time' equally fuccefsfuk But I cannot
enter upon the particulars of what happened in that quarter,
as I am not yet informed of them with firfficient certainty and
precifion.
The morning wa*s extremely foggy, which prevented our
improving fhe advantages we gained, (a well as we fhouM
otherwife have done. This ctrcumftance, by concealing
from us the true fituation of the enemy, obliged us to a6t
with more caution and lefs expedition than we could hare
wifhed, and gave the enemy time to recover from the effects
of our firfl impreflion: and, what wasftill more unfortunate,
it ferved to keep our different parties in ignorance of each
other's movements, and hindered their acting in concert.
It alfo occafioned them to miftake one another for the enemy,
— which, I believe, more than any thing elfe, contributed to
the misfortune which cnfued — In the midft of the moft pro-
mrfing appearances, when every thing gave the mofl flatter
ing hopes of victory, the troops began fuddenly to retreat,
and entirely left the field, in fpite of every effort that could be
made to rally them.
Upon the whole, it may be faid the day was rather unfor-
funate than injurious. — We fuftained no material lofs of
men, and brought off all our artillery, except one piece
which was demounted. — The enemy are nothing the better
by the event ; and our troops, who are not in the leafl di-
fpiritec! by it, have gained what all young troops gain by he-
in^ in actions. We have had however fevcral valuable of-
iicers killed and wounded, particularly the latter. General
Nafli is amofig the wounded, and his life is defpaired of. — As
fpon as it is pofilble to obtain a return of our lofs, I will tranf-
-mit it.
In juftice to general Stfllivan and the whole right wing of
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 179
the army; whofe conduct I had an opportunity of obferving*
as they acted immediately under my eye, — I have the pleafure
to inform you that both officers and men behaved with a de
gree of gallantry that did them the higheft honor.
I have th^ honor to be, Sec. G. W.
P. S. As I have ob'fefved, I Have riot received a. return of
ourlofs : but, from what I have jufl now learned from gene
ral Greene, I fear it is more coftfiderable than I at firft ap
prehended — in men. The cannon, mentioned above, is faid
to have been brought off in a waggon.
SlR, Camp near Pennil acker's Mill, Oftober 7, 1777.
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you on the fifth,
1 have obtained a return of our loftf in the action on fatur-
day, by which it appears to be much more considerable than
I at firft apprehended, though I always imagined myfelf that
it was greater thart it was generally fuppofed to1 be. The
copy of the return i'nclbfed will fhew the amount as it now
flands ; but I hope many of thofe who are miffing \vfll yet
come in : I fear however there are feveral under that deno
mination to be added to the number of the ihun* as the action
was warmi in every Quarter, from the information of the of
ficers who conimanded *he different attacks.
What lofs the enemy fuftarned, I am not able ptecrfely to
afcertain : but from a variety of correfpondi'ng accounts of
perfons who left the city fince, and thofe of a deferter, it
was very confiderable. The deferter, who is intelligent,
fays general Agnew was killed, fir William Erfkme wound
ed in the head and leg, and that their general tofs, i'u killed
and wounded, amounted to near eight hundred. Several re
putable perfons from the city corroborate this,; particularly
with reipedl: to' general Agnew's death : fome fay upwards of
two hundred waggons with wounded were carried in after the
action, and before they came out ; and that it was the com
mon belief there, the enemy had been feverely handled,
N * If
i8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
It is with much chagrin and mortification I add that every
account confirms the opinion I at firft entertained, that our
troops retreated at the inftant when victory was declaring
herfeif in our favor. — The tumult, diforder, and even de-
fpair, which, it feems, had taken place in the Britim. army,
were fcarcely to he paralleled : and it is faid, fo ftrongly did
the ideas of a retreat prevail, that Chefter was fixed on as
their rendez-vous. — I can difcover no other caufe for not
improving this happy opportunity, than the extreme hazi-
nefs of the weather.
My intention is to encamp the army at fome fuitable place
to reft and refrefh the men, and recover thena from the {till
remaining effects of that diforder naturally attendant on a re
treat. We fhall here wait for the reinforcements coming on,
and fhall then act according to circuinflances. — General
Varnum, with the detachment from Peekikill amounting to-
about twelve hundred, including officers, would be la ft
;night at CoryePs ferry. About five hundred militia from Vir-
'ginia, and two hundred from Maryland, together with colo
nel Gibfdn's ftate regiment confiftincr of two hundred and
o o
twenty -fix effectives, have already joined the army. — Since
the action, general Forman's brigade of Jerfey militia has.
quitted us. Hie men began to be uneafy at their fituation,
and defirous fo return home : and as, by fome intelligence re
ceived from general Dickinfon, there was reafon to imagine
there might be a call for their fervices in the Jerfeys, it was
thought expedient to gratify their defire.
The (late of our water defence on the Delaware is far from
being as flattering as could be wiihed. After fome flight op-
pofition from the Jerfey militia under general Nevvcornb, a
detachment of the enemy took poiTcflion of Biilingfport. This
perhaps is an event of no material confcqnence : but it is to
be lamented that many of the officers and feamen on board
the gallies have manifefted a difpofition that does them little
'honor. Looking upon their fituation as dcfperate, o* pro
bably from worfe motives, they have been guilty of the moll
alarming
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 181
alarming deferrions : two whole crews, including the offi
cers, have deferted to the enemy. I learn however by cap
tain Brewer who is this moment arrived here from the fleet,
that the accounts they have received from the city, of our
late attack, were fuch as to have produced a favorable
change, and to have infpired them with more confidence. —
I would here obfcrve that the charge of bad conduct was by
no means applicable to the whole : — far from it. — He fur
ther acids that four of the enemy's (hips made an attempt yef-
terday morning to weigh the chevaux-de-frife oppofite to
Billingfport, but were repulfed by our gallies, — which has al-
fo contributed to raife the fpirits of the feamen. — Our garri-
fon on Fort-Ifland, coniiiting of little more than. two hundred
continental troops under lieutenant-colonel Smith, appear de
termined to maintain their po ft to the lair, extremity.
I beg leave to mention to Coagrefs, that there is a great
deficiency of general officers in this army. When the de
tachment coming from Peekikill joins us, we (hall have
thirteen brigades. Thele require as many brigadiers, and
fix major-generals : — inftead of thefe,we mail ho»ve only four
major-generals and eleven brigadiers ; and the deficiency will
be ftill increafed by the death of general Nafh, which, from
every appearance, is momently to be expected. General
Woodford's abfence, occafioned by his wound, adds to our
embarrafiments, though it will be but for a time. Under
thefe circumftances, Congrefs will be fenfible that the go
vernment of the army cannot go on with that energy which.
is eflential to its well-being and fuccefs. Neither officers nor
men will transfer the refpect and obedience they pay to a ge
neral officer, to a colonel who happens to be appointed to
the temporary command of a brigade ; nor will he, knowing
his authority to be only temporary, be as folicitousto inforce
it, as one who is conlcious he is to continue in the ftation he
fills. Want of leifure prevents my being more particular at
this time : but I fhall take the liberty, in a day or two, to
N £ point
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
point out the troops that are in want of general officers, witty
my obfervations on the fubjetl:.
I cannot however ornit this opportunity of recommending
general M'Dougal to their notice. This gentleman, from
the time of his appointment as brigadier, — from his abilities,
military knowledge, and approved bravery, — -has every claim
to promotion. If I mifbke not, he was pafled over in the
laft appointments of major-generals, and younger officers pre
ferred before him : but his difmterefled attachment to the fer-
yice prevented his acting in the manner that is cuflqmary
in like circumftances. This, I think, gives him a pecu
liar' title to efteem, and concurs with the opinion I have of
his value as an officer, to make me xviih it may appear ad-
vifable to Congrefs to promote him to one of the vacancies.
It would be well if the intended inquiry into the conduit
of general St. Clair could be brought to a fpeedy ifTue ; and,
if he is acquitted to the fatisfadtion of Congrefs, that, as his
general character as an officer is good, he may be again re-
Jlored to the fervice.
By a letter this evening received from colonel Hawkea
Hay of Haverftraw, dated the fifth at four o'clock P. M.
four fhips of war, a confiderable number of armed vefTels,
eight tranfports, and forty flat-bottomed boats, arrived tha,t
morning in the bay oppoiite that place, an4 were landing
troops at Verplank-s Point. — Their number and defign were
not known. — I have the honor to be, £cc. G. W.
P. S. Inclofed you will find a copy of a letter from colo
nel Mifflin, containing an account of the action of the fourth,
as mentioned by the Bridfti officers in Philadelphia. — I would
beg leave to obferve that I think mifs * * *'s name fhouldt
not be mentioned,
SIR, Pennibacker\s Mill, October ?, 1777.,
AS general Howe's operations are in this quarter,
and his object in all probability fixed for this campaign, I
am
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 183
#m induced to fubmit it to the confederation of Congrefsif the
whole or a part of the regiment of artillery commanded by
colonel Harrifon fhould not be immediately ordered to join,
this army. In the late adtions, the corps under general Knox
has fuffered feverely ; and it is fo reduced by the number of
killed, wounded, &cc, that we are obliged to make draughts
from the other batallions to fupply their places. The mea-
fure I have ventured to fubmit will not, from prefent ap
pearances, be attended with any ill confequences, if carried
into execution, — and the lefs fo, as the ftate of Virginia, ac
cording to my information, is raifing another regiment.
Should it be thought advifable, Ccngrefs will tranfmit their
orders to colonel Hat^ifon.— - If the regiment comes, they
need not bring their artillery.
I have the honor to be, £cc.. -G. W,
Camp, twertfy-Jix mites from Philadelphia , Qftoler lo, 1777.
SIR,
ON wcdnefday evening I received the honor of your
letter of the feventh with its feveral inclofures. — The providing
of fuitable quarters for the troops during the winter demands
our attention : but I confefs it is difficult to fay where they
will be. Sundry civcumftaaces may occur in the courfe of
the campaign, to render any provj£L(Mi, which might now be
thought of, altogether improper.
Inrefpedt to general Putnam* s letter, though ihe a-ccoimts
trarifmitted by colonel Hawkes Hay indicate that the enemy
had fome attack in contemplation, yet I cannot but think the
force the general mentions to have been at New- York was
greatly exaggerated. The higheft number of the reinforce
ments, faid to have arrived, is three thoufand ; and thefe arc
mentioned to be half boys. Other reports make it mucji lefs,—
and fome as low as five or fix hundred. — However, be it what
jit may, it is npt in my power to grant him aid. — Had tn^ reT
N 4 infos'cernent
j 84 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
inforcement arrived before the troops marched from Peekf-
kill, fo many might not have been ordered from thence. But
the cafe was otherwife, or at leaft I was not apprifed of their
arrival ; and the detachments from thence were directed by
the advice of my general officers, who had under confidera-
tion the itate of the whole force at that pod and its dependen
cies, according to a general return. At the fame time T
urged general Putnam to call in all his our-pofls, and to write
in prefiing terms to governor Trumbull to a/lift him with
fome militia.
I have not heard a fingle fyllable more of the troops or fleet
mentioned by colonel Hawkes Hay, except a vague report to
day that a number, fuppofed to be about fifteen hundred, had
landed on this fide the river at Haverflraw. — If the fa6l is fo,
it is prob'able they mean to pafs through the Clove and inveft
the forts. — I have great confidence in the activity and bravery
of governor Clinton ; and I truft, if fuch is their view, they
will meet at leaft with a fpirited if not a fuccefsful opposition-.
— I havefent up lieutenant-colonel Radiere, one of the engi
neers, with orders to direct fuch other works as may appear
necefTary.
There was a very fevere cannonade on wednefday night :
it began about twelve o'clock, and continued till yefterday
morning between feven and eight. I have not learned the
occafion; but, from the direction, fuppofc it was at Fort-
Mifflin, or an engagement between our armed vefiels and the
enemy's fhips, which probably were making a fecond at
tempt againfr the chevaux-de-frife. — I have determined to
maintain the polt at Red-bank, if it can be done, and have
detached colonel Greene there with his" regiment of Rhode-
Ifland troops, confining of about two hundred and twelve
effective privates. I have alfo written to general Newcomb
of Jerfey, preffing him to give all the aid he can from the
militia.^
{Since my letter of the feventh we have been joined by more
of
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 185
of the Virginia militia.— The whole number now in camp
amounts to about -eleven hundred. Many of their arms are
indifferent, and almoft the whole are deftitute of pouches
and other neccffary accoutrements.
On funday the enemy evacuated Billingfport. — They left
all our cannon, but burned the platforms and carriages.
Inclofed you will receive a letter addrefied to me by colo
nel Portail. Congrefs will judge of the contents, and decide
upon them as they may think they merit.
The military cheR is nearly exhaufted, not having more
than ten thoufand dollars in it ; and a large part of the army
is to pay for the month of Auguft. Befidcs their claims,
large fums are wanted by the quarter-mafter-general, and for
other purpoies. — Congrefs, 1 hope, will order fuch immediate
fupply to be forwarded to the paymafter-general, as mall be
in their power.
Qflober ii. — I wim to know what {lores of lead we
have, and what expeditions of further fupplies. I am ra
ther uneafy on this head, as I have not been able to obtain
fatisfaclion on fome inquiries within thecourfe of a few days.
The cannonade mentioned above was between our gal-
lies and a detachment of the enemy who were attempting to
throw up a battery at Webb's or the loweft ferry on Schuyl-
kill. It has been repeated this morning. — Their deiign, in
erecting this battery, probably is to cover their pafTage to
Province-Ifland, from whence, by occupying the grounds a-
bout the pefl-houfes, they may expect to annoy Fort-Mif-
flin.
Our diftrefs for want of ftioes and {lockings is amazingly
great, particularly for want of the former. On this account
we have a great many men who cannot do duty, and feveral
detained at the hofpitals for no other caufe. — I mud: requeft
Congrefs to continue their exertions to relieve us, and to
direct every fupply of tliefe and other neceflaries to be for
warded as foon as they pofTibly can after they are collected.
It will be proper to feml them on as faft as they can be pro
cured,
tS6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
cured, without waiting to make up a eonfiderable quantity
to be brought at one time.
I was this morning honored with your favors of the ninth,
and their feveral inclofures. — I feel in the moft fenfible man
ner the honorable approbation Congrefs have been pleafed
to give of my conduct:, and that of the army under my com
mand, in the action on the fourth inftant : nor am 1 lefs indebt
ed to you, fir, io\ the polite mode in which you have con
veyed their Sentiments. — I fliall communicate the refolve upon
the fubje& to the army, and hope, if a favorable opportunity
offers, under the fmiles of providence, they will merit, by
snore fubftantial fei vices, the further applaufc of their
country.
The rcfohition of the eighth, for preventing fupplies and
intelligence being carried to the enemy, appears to me to be
a falutary one ; and I hope it will be attended with the mod
beneficial conferences. That it may be known among the
inhabitants who are in their neighborhood, and who have
been guilty of fuch practices, I would wifh to receive feve-
zal printed copies, that they may be diftributed in proper
places. — ! have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. & I have juft now received a line from the paymafter-
general on the fubjeclt of money, which I ir»clofe.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Oflober 13, 1777.
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you on the ele
venth milant, nothing material has happened between our ar
my and general Howe's. — The inclofed copies of commodore
Hazelwood and colonel Bradford's letiers will llicw the fitu-
ation of affairs in the navy and at Fort-Mifflin, on the ele
venth, — which are the lateft accounts I have received from
thence. But there has been a warm cannonade fmce, which
continued, with but little intermiffion, till between two and
three o^elock yefterday afternoon, when it ceafcd. The re-
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
fult I have not heard ; but I hope, from the determined fpirit
of the fleet and the garrifpn, matters continue as we couJ4
wifli.
I received an exprefs lad- night from general Putnam, in
forming me of the capture of Fort-Montgomery, and the con-r
fequent evacuation of Peekikiii. I fhould fend copies of hi$
letters to me : but as the exprefs who brought them had dif-
patches for Congrefs, I conclude he has advifed them fully
on the fubject.-— Thefe events may have an unhappy influ
ence on our northern affairs : but as the Connecticut mili
tia fecm to be coming in faft, and governor Clinton is exert
ing himfelf tp bring out the force of New York, — if general
Putnam can but keep pace with their fleet in their progrefs
up the river, I hope he will be able to fruftrate their deflgn.
of relieving general Burgoyne, and that every thing will
flill terminate well in that quarter,
It gives me pain to repeat fo often the wants of the army ;
/and nothing would induce me to it but the mofl urgent
neceffily. Every mode hitherto adopted for iupplying thera
has proved inadequate, notwithstanding my bed endeavors to '
make the mofl of the means which have been in my power,
— The inclofed return will ihew how great our deficiency in
the mod efTential articles. — What new expedient Congreis
can deyife for more effectually anfwering thefe demands, 1
know not, perfuaded as I arn that their clofed attention has
not been wanting to a matter of fo great importance: but,
circumdanced as we are, I am under an abfolute neceffity
of troubling them, that if any new fource can be opened for
alleviating our diftrerTes, it may be embraced as fpeedily as
^poffible ; for it is impoffible that any army, fo unprovided,
can long fubfift, or act with that vigor which is requifite to
enfure fuccefs'.
The return now iqclofed is for troops prefent in camp,— •
befides which, there are numbers in the feveral hofpitals, to
tally deftituie of the neceffaries they require to fit them for
the field ; a$cj, on this account alone,- are prevented from
joining
i88 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
joining their corps. The recruits coming in are alio in the
fame melancholy predicament. — I cannot afcertain with pre-
cifion what quantity of clothing is at this time in Mr. MeaiVs
hands : but, from every account, what he has can adminifler
but a very partial relief. — I know'he is entirely bare of ibmc
of the moft capital articles we want.
With refpecl to cartouch-boxes, without which it is im-
poflible to act, I cannot rind from my inquiries that there are
any in Rore. Several of the continental troops are deficient in
this inflanee ; and, what adds to our diftrefs, there are but very
few of the fouthern militia that are provided.— I am trying
to make a collection about the country: but, from the inform
ation I have received, the meafure will be attended with but
little fuccefs. — This want, though not remedied immediately,
may be removed in time • and I would take the liberty to recom
mend that the earlieft attention fhould be had to making a
large fupply. I would alib advife that much care fliould be
ufed in chilling the leather : — none but the heft and thickefl
is proper for the purpofe; and each box iliould have a miall
inner flap for the greater fecurity of the cartridges againil the
rain and moift weather.-- The flaps in general are too fmall,
and do not project fufficiemly over the ends or fides of the
boxes. — I am convinced of the utility, nay neceffity, of thefe
improvements, and that the adoption of them, though they
will incur an additional cxpenfe at firit, will prove a confi-
derable faving, and of the moft beneficial confequences : for
we know from unhappy experience in the fevere rain on the
Sixteenth ultimo, the few boxes we had of this conftruclion
preferyed the ammunition without injury, whilfl it was al-
mofl: wholly deftroyed in thofe of the common form with a
fingle flap.
There is one thing more which I cannot o«nit mentioning
to Con^refs, and which, in my opinion, has a claim to their
moft ferious attention, — I mean the general defective ftate
of, the regiments which compoie.our armies. — Congrefs will
find, from a view of the returns tranfmitted from time to time,
that
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 189
thjrt they do not amount to half of their juft complement.
What can be done to remedy this, I know not : but it is cer
tain every idea of voluntary enliilments feems to be at an
end ; and it is equally certain that the mode of draughting has
been carried on with fuch want of energy ill fome Hates, and fo
much difregarded in others, that but a fmall acceflion of force
has been derived from it. Thefe facls are fufHciendy in-
terefting of tliemfelves. — But there are others to be added. —
1 am told that Virginia, in her regulations for draughting,
extended her plan only to the nine regiments that were firft
railed. In what policy this was founded, I cannot determine :
but the other fix are to receive no reinforcements from that
fource. — Nor do matters flop here. The engagements of
the firft nine regiments, lam informed, were temporary ;
and, according to the officer's accounts, the longed period to
which any of the men are bound to ferve is next April : —
many are not obliged fo long ; and there are fome who
claim adifcharge at this time. — I do not mention thefe things
through choice, but from a principle of duty, to the end that
Congrefs may devife fome timely and effe&ual provilion for
the whole, if fuch (hall be in their power. — It is unneceflary
ro enlarge upon the fubjecl: ; and 1 will only obferve that the
confequences of calling the militia [into the field in] the courfe
of the war have been fo fevercly and ruinoufiy felt, that I
truft our views will never be turned to them but in cafes of
the greateft extremity.
In purfuance of the refolution of Congrefs, a court of in
quiry has fat upon general Sullivan. They met on the tenth,
and continued the examination till the twelfth, when they
came to the inclofed opinion. — The depofitions and papers
which were before the court wece many and prolix. They
are not tranfmitted : but they may be obtained from the courc,
if wanted. — Befides the depoiitory proofs which they had
of wounded and dead officers, they had rn any gentlemen be
fore them in perfon.
I have the honor to be, &c.
9
tgo GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
P. S. Oftober 14. — I laft night received letters from com
modore Hazelwood and colonel Smith. — The (ituation of afe
fairs was nearly the fame, the evening before, as when the
commodore and colonel Bradford wrote on the tenth and
eleventh.— The cannonade mentioned above was from ottr
gallies at the enemy's redoubts;
Head-Quarters at Pe'ter ffatttxfi, Off tiler i6> 1777?
SIR,
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the.
twelfth and thirteenth iriftanr, with their feveral inclofures.—
In refpecl: to the refolutjon directing a flag to be fent to ge
neral Hofre, I am inclined to think that the information
upon which it was framed was without foundation. The
letters which have come from our officers who have been,
lately taken generally mention that their treatment has been
tolerably good ; and fuch privates as have efcaped have faid
nothing in the courfe of their examination* of their having
been compelled to work. — Forthefe reafons I have taken the
liberty to decline fending the flag. At the fame time Congrefs
may be afTured, if our prifoners fufFer any wrongs, I (halt
take every means in my power to have them redrafted as foon
'as 1 am apprifed of them.
It is with the higheft fatisfa&ion I congratulate Congrefs
on the fuccefs of our arms at the northward in the action of
the feventh,-— an event of the inoO: interefting importance at
this critical juncture. From the happy train in which things
then were, I hope we {hall foon hear of the moil deciilve ad-
Vantages.
We moved this morning from the encampment at which
we had been for fix or feven days pair., and are juft arrived
at the grounds we occupied before .the aclion of the fourth.
One motive for coming here is to divert the enemy's atten
tion and force from the forts. Thefe they feem to confider
as capital objects, and (from their operations) mean to re-
7 duce,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 191
duce, if poffible. — At prefent their defigns are directed againit
Fort-Mifflin and the chevaux-de-frife. I have therefore de
tached a further reinforcement to the garrifon.
I yeflerday, through the hands of Mrs * * *, received
a letter of a very curious and extraordinary nature from Mr
D * * *, which I have thought proper to tranfmit to Con-
grefs. — To this ridiculous, illiberal performance, I made a
fhort reply, by defiring the bearer of it, if (he fhould here
after by any accident meet with Mr D * * *, to tell hicn
I fhould have returned it unopened, if I had had any idea
of the contents ; — obferving at the fame time, that I highly
disapproved the intercourfe ihe feemed to have been carrying
on, and expected it would be difcontinued. — Notwithftand-
ing the author's afTertion, I cannot but fufpedt that the mea-
fure did not originate with him ; and that he was induced to
it by the hope of eftablifhing his intereft and peace more ef
fectually with the enemy.
J have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Head- Quarters, mar White -MarJJi, Oftober 21, 1777.
SIR,
I LAST night had the honor to receive your letter of
the feventeenth inftu-nt, with its feveral inclofures.
I heartily wifh the ftates may feel the importance of fill
ing their batallions, and may, in confequence of the recom
mendation of Congrefs, adopt fuch meafures as will prove ef
fectual for die purpofe. I cannot but think that heretofore
there has been a want of attention in this inftance, and that
the fubject, though intereft ing to the laft degree, has been
viewed with too much indifference. — The refolution refpect-
ing deferters, I hope, will alfo have their notice. It is highly
nccclTary that they fhould come into fome regulations for
apprehending them, and puniihing thofe who give them
countenance. Jf this is not done, our force will be always
diminifhing,
192 v GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
diminifhing, and no exertions in the army will prevent it. — I
/hall try the effects of a proclamation on thofe who are now
delinquents, and fhall he happy if it meets with fuccefs ; but
confefs, from the experiment I have made, that I am not fan-
guine in my expectations that it will be the cafe.
As to the recruiting officers, i muft obferve, that, not-
•withftanding the refolution of Congrefs of the thirty-firft of
July, and my circular letter on the fubjecl: of it to many of
the ftates, I have not received an account that any officers
have been appointed, except in Connecticut and Jerfey.
On funday the enemy evacuated Germantown, and with
drew themfelves within their lines near the city. — They
Teem determined to reduce the forts, if poffible ; and, for
this purpofe, have thrown feveral parties over on Province-
Ifland. I was informed this afternoon that a detachment
alfo panned the Delaware at Cooper's ferry in the morning. — -
If the account be true (and I have no doubt of it) it is high
ly probable they mean to make an attack upon the garrifon
at Red-bank. — I am taking every meafure in my power to
counteract them, and have written to generals Forman and
Newcomb of Jerfey to afford every aid they can to relieve
the fort, in cafe they do invert it.
Againft Fort-MiiHin they have kept up a cannonade, more
or lefs, every day, and have thrown feveral ihells, but with
out doing any considerable damage. The cxploiion of one
killed a private, and wounded three others, who were in a
barrack where it fell. They alfo fet fire to two ammunition-
boxes with a hot ball on the nineteenth, which did fomt in
jury to the barracks.— I do not recollect that we have fufTer-
cd lately in any instances befides thefe.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SiR, Head-Quarters, Otlober 24, 1777.
I DO myfelf the honor of tranfmitting to Congrefs
e inclofed copies of fundry letters juir. now received, and
congratulate
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 193
congratulate them moft fmcerely on the important intelli
gence which they contain.— The damage the enemy have
fuftained in their {hips, I hope, will prevent their future at
tempts to gain the pafTage of the river ; and the repulfe of
the troops under count Donnop, and his captivity, I flatter
myfelf, will alfo be attended with the moft happy confe-
quences. — At the time thefe actions happened, a fupply of
ammunition was on the way to the forts ; and I have alfo
ordered a further quantity to be immediately fent.
By colonel Elaine, one of the ifTuing commiflaries, who
left Red-bank in the morning before the action, I am happily
informed that he had thrown conilderablefupplies of proviiion
into both garrifons. He alfo adds that he came from Jerfey this
morning, and that the enemy had recrofled the Delaware and
returned to Philadelphia. — I have written to colonel Greene
that the prifoners muft be immediately fent from his poll :
and Mr. Clymer, a deputy under Mr. Boudinot, will fct out
to-morrow morning to make a proper difpoiidon of them.
It gives me great concern to inform Congrefs, that, after
all my exertions, we are ftill in a diftreflfed fituation for want
of blankets and fhoes. At this time no inconfiderable part
of our force are incapable of acting, through the deficiency
of the latter : and I fear, without we can be relieved, it will
?>e the cafe with two-thirds of the army in the courfe of a
few days.
I am and have been waiting with the moil anxious impa
tience for a confirmation of general Burgoyne's furrender.
I have received no further intelligence refpecting it (except
vague report) than the firft account which came to hind fo
long ago as faturduy morning. — If Congrefs have had au
thentic advices about it, I wifti to be favored with them.
I have the Loner to be, &:c. G. W.
VOL. II. O
104 GENERAL WASHINGTON
Head- Quarters near HfliitGtMv&Jhi November I, 1777s
SIR,
I WAS duly honored with Mr. Hancock's letter of the
twenty-fifth, with its feveral inclofures.— I /hall take the cafe
of John More under confederation, and will tranfmit colonel
Mafon my determination upon the fame.
At this time I cannot inform the commidary whether any
alterations have or have not been made hy general orders in
the original ration efiablifhment. I have been under the
necedity, from time to time, to fend away my orderly books;
and they are ncccdary to be examined upon the fubjecl,
However, I think it probable that a departure from the firft
allowance may have been found expedient, and directed by
fome authority, — or the cpmrriiuary would not have adopt
ed it. — In refpe6l to the alteration referred to my confidera-
tion, it is a matter of confequence, and I have defired the
general officers to inform themfelves whether it will be agree
able to the army at large, or what other regulations may
"he nccedary in this inftance. — As foon as I have their lenti -
inents, I will write to Congrefs upon the fubjedt.
The enemy flill confider the pofleflion of our pods upon
the river of great importance 5 and, from their preparation
of fafcines, &c, and the bed information I have been able to
obtain, they will make further efforts to carry them. — View
ing them in this light myfelf, and imagining that they would
perfevere in their plans to occupy them, I wrote fome days
ago in the mod p reding terms to generals Dickinfon, For-
man, and * *' *, to afford every aid in their power from
the militia of Jerfey. As yet we have received but little ;
and I have no encouragement to expect that it will be much
augrneiKec in a fliort time. — This does not proceed from a
want of activity and exertion on the part of the two firfl-
mentioned gentlemen, whofe conducl and zeal upon every
iccafion give them a claim to the public efteem,' but in a con-
uderable degree from the peculiar circumftances of their dc»ts
2 at
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 195
at this time. The apprehenfions of an invafion from Staten-
JilancJ keep a large proportion of the militia from the eaft-
erri and upper part of the ftate almoft conftantly employed at
and in the neighborhood of Elizahethtown : and Mr. Liv-
ingfton's powers, as governor, being expiied, — and no pro-
vifion made (it feems) for fuch a contingency, — there are
none of fufficient authority to order them out, till a new ap
pointment can be had :— at leaft there is ground to fufpect
'that the orders and exertions of thefe two gentlemen, unaf-
fified by civil authority, will not be attended with the advan
tages we wifh, and which our affairs require. * * *
Under thefe circumftances I have been obliged to detach
a further reinforcement of continental troops under general
Varnum, to maintain the two garrifons, if poflible, — *befides
failors drawn from the line, to man the gallies. This detach
ment, when it arrives, added to the force now in the forts,
Xvill make the whole amount to fixteen hundred effective
rank and file fent from this army*
After the action of the fourth ultimo at Germantown, I
hoped we fhould have been in a ficuation to attack the enemy
again on thofe grounds, and with more fuccefs than in the
former inftance : but this I was not able to effect. The
fevere rain on the fixteenth of September, — the action on the
fourth, — the removal of our {lores, and having to form a
new elaboratory, — added to the fmall number of hands en-
• gaged in the bufmefs of it, — laid us under difficulties in the
capital and effential article of ammunition, that could not be
.furmounted. Every exertion was directed to obtain fup-
plies ; but (nolwithftanding) they were inadequate, too fcan-
ty, and infufficient to attempt any thing on a large and ge
neral fcale, before the enemy withdrew themfelves. — With
\vhat we had, in cafe an experiment had been made, fortune
might have decided in our favor for the prefent ; but we
.fhould not have been afterwards, in a fituation to maintain
the advantage we might have gained : and if a repulfe had
.taken place, and the enemy purfued, — for want of a referve,
O 2 \ve
196 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
we might have been expofed to the moft imminent danger of
being ruined. — The diftrefs of the foldiers for want of ihoes
was alfo a powerful obfhcle'to the meafure.
I could wilh that our c i re um fiances were now fuch as to
authorife a general attack for diflodging them from the city :
but I think that they are not. This alfo is the opinion of
my general officers, upon a full and comprehenfive view of
matters, as Congrefs will perceive by the inclofed copy of the
minutes of council on the twenty-ninth ultimo, which I have
taken the liberty to tranfmit and lay before them. — The fu-
periority of numbers on the part of the enemy, in refpedl to
regular troops, — their fuperior difcipline, and the redoubts
and lines which they have thrown up between the two rivers
and about the city,— the happy {rate of our affairs at the
northward, and the practicability of drawing fuccours from
thence, — the conferences of a defeat, — thefe were all mo
tives which led to a decifion againft an attack at this time.
I have fent colonel Hamilton, one of my aides, to general
Gates, to give him a juft reprefentation of things, and to ex
plain to him the expediency of our receiving the reinforce
ments which have been determined neceffary, if they will not
interfere with and fruitrate any important plans he may have
formed. Indeed I cannot conceive that there is any objedr.
now remaining, that demands our attention and mod vigor
ous efforts fo much as the definition of the army in this
quarter. Should we be able to effect this, we {hall have little
to fear in future.
General Howe's force, according to the ftate now made,
' is more confiderable than it was generally fuppofed to be. I
did riot think it quite fo great myfelf, but always imagined the
common eflimate much too low : — nor can I pofitively fay
xvhat it really is. However, there are ftrong reafons to be-,
lieve that it is not over-rated. After the evacuation of Ger-
mantown, an almofl infinite number of fcraps and bits of
paper were found, which, being feparated and arranged with
great indurtry and care, bear the marks of genuine and au
thentic
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 197
thentic returns at different periods. The manner in which
they were deftroyed and difpofed of gives no room to fufpcct
that it was the effect of defign. — In addition to tin's, I am in
formed by general Putnam that he had heard a reinforce
ment of four regiments was coming round to Delaware
from New-York.
The inclofed return will give Congrefs a general view of
the ftrength of this army when it was made, and a particular
one of the forces of each ftate which compofe it. By this
they will perceive how greatly deficient the whole arc in fur-
nifhing their juft quotas. — The militia from Maryland and
Virginia are no longer to be counted on :~ all the former,
except about two hundred, are already gone ; and a few days,
I expect, will produce the departure of the whole or chief
part of the latter, from the importunate applications which
fome of them have made. Betides this diminution, I am up-
prehenfive we fhall have feveral men added to the Tick lift by
reafon of the late cxceffi ve rain and want of clothes.
We have not yet come to any determination refpedHng the
difpofition of our troops for the winter, — fuppofmg it a mat
ter of great importance, and that for the prefent we Iliould
be lilent upon it. The reafons will readily occur. By con
tinuing the campaign, perhaps many falutary if not decifive
advantages may be derived ; but it appears to me that this
mud: depend upon the fupplies of clothing which the men
receive. If they cannot be accommodated in this inftance, it
will be difficult if not impoflible to do it without efrecling
their deftruction,
J would take the liberty to mention that I feel myfelf in a
delicate fituation with refpect to the marquis La Fayette. —
He is extremely folicitous of having a command equal to his
rank, and profefles very different ideas, as to the purpofes of
his appointment, from thofe Congrefs have mentioned to
me :— he certainly did not underftand them.-— I do not know
in what light they will view the matter : but it appears to,
rne, from a confideration of his illuflrious and important
O 3 connexions,
198 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
connexions, — the attachment which he has manife.fted for
our caufe, — and the confluences which his return in difguft
might produce, — that it will be advifable to gratify hirn in
his wifhes • and the more fo, as feveral gentlemen from
France, who came over under fome affurances, have gone
back difappointed in their expectations. — His conduc^t with
refpecl: to them ftands in a favorable point of view, — having
jnterefted himfelf to remove their uneafinefs, and urged the
impropriety of their making any unfavorable reprefentations
upon their arrival at home : and in all his letters he has pla
ced our affairs in the heft iituation he could. — Be fides, he is
fenfible, difcreet in his manners, has made great proficiency
in our language, and, from the difpolition he difcovered at
the battle of Brandiwine, poilerTes a large {hare of bravery
and military ardor.
There is a French gentleman here,— monfieur Vrigny, — •
in whqfe favor the marquis ieems much intereiled. He affures
me he is an officer of great merit, and, from that motive
and a regurd to the fervice, wiihes to fee him promoted. —
The rank he holds in France, and his prefent expectations,
are contained in the inclofed copy of a paper given me by
the marquis. Monfieur Vrigny alfo has honorable certificates
of his fervices, nearly correfpanding with the marquis's ac
count of them. - If Congrefs are pleafed to honor him with a
commiflion in the army of the dates, I muft try to employ him.
I took the liberty fome fhort time ago to mention to Con
grefs the fituation of the nine firft-raifed Virginia regiments,
and the term for which they ftand engaged ; and, coniidering
that we fhould fufFer greatly by the lois of fo large a part of
our force which have been long inured to fervice, I thqught
it advifable to confult the officers commanding them, upon
the. mode which Should appear to them befb calculated to re-
enlift them, They accordingly met, and repon-d their fend-
ments in writing, a copy of which I have: inclofed.— I do
jiot know that expedients, more promiilng of fuccsfs than
e they have pointed, out, can be adopted. — Congrefs \vill
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 1^99
be pleafed to give the matter their earlieft attention, and to
favor me with their opinion by the firil opportunity, whether
the indulgence and allowance they have propoled may be
granted, — and, if any additional bounty may be given, what
it (hall be. — The high fums paid for fubftitutes and draughts,
of lute, even in the militia fervice, will make this neccffary :
for the foldiers, being well apprifed of that fa&, will not be
•Induced to engage again during the war or for three years,
for the ufual premium.
I would alfo lay before Congrefs a remonftrance by the
fubaltern officers of the Virginia line, founded on a reform J
thought neceffary to take place in the regiments from that
fiate. Thefe, in tiieir-eftablimment, were made to confift of
ten companies, — two more, than were affigned to thofe of the
dates in general. This, and the great difproportion between
the officers and men, induced me to reduce them to a level
with the reft belonging to the continent, in order to prevent
a conliderable unneceffary expenfe.— To effe£l this, no new
promotions are to be made in the two extra companies, viz,
the ninth and tenth, either to vacancies exifting at the tim6
of the regulation, or to any future ones that may happen
therein : and the lubalterns are to remain in their rank and
command, till they can be promoted in the other eight com
panies, and their men incorporated. —-This is what they com
plain of.— I have made a (hoit ftate of fads, and wifU Con
grefs to determine upon them and the remonftrance as they
fhall think proper.
At the requeft of governor Clinton, I have tranfmitted a
copy of his letter to, me, giving an account of general Vangh-
an's expedition up the North-river after the capture of fort-
Montgomery, and of the deilru&ion committed by his troops
;n burning Kjngfton and the houfes and mills on the river
According to the lateft advices, they have returned again ;
and it is reported that they have deftroyed the barracks and
forts, and gone to New- York : — but this is not confirmed,
A few days ago Mr. Franks of Philadelphia, agent for the
O 4 Britiih
200 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Britim prifoners, fent out fix thoufand continental dollars to
Mr. Richard Graham of Virginia, for the fubfiilence of the
Hcf-Haiis and other prifoners in that ftate. The policy of
fuiFering the enemy to fupport their prifoners wkh money
which they refufe themfelves, and which they attempt to de
preciate in every inftance they poffibly can, appears to me very
qu eft io nable, — and the more fo, as it may be counterfeited. —
Befides, they have laid us under every difficulty they can de-
vife, as to our prifoners in their hands : — nothing will do for
their fupport but hard money. — If the enemy were obliged to
furnifh the fame, the quantity with us would be greater, and
of courfe the means of relieving ours, eafier. 1 do not know
what confequences a prohibition againft receiving continent
al money or the currency of any ftate from them might
involve : I think the fubje£t is worthy of the confideration
of Congrcfs ; and for that reafon I have mentioned it,
November 3. — The report of the enemy's having deflroyed
the forts and barracks on the North-river, and of their hav
ing returned to New-York, is confirmed. I this morning
received a letter from general Putnam upon the fubjedl, a
copy pf which is tranfmitted.— -The information that they
mean to reinforce general Howe, I doubt not, is true ; it has
come through feveral channels, and nothing is more proba
ble.— As to their having a further expedition in view, it
feems to be quedionable : — general Burgoyne's defeat, and
the eaftern troops being ready to be employed in another
way, are circumftances againft the meafure.
Agreeable to my expectation, the Virginia militia are
gone : fo that we have none now in aid of the continental
troops, but thofe of this .{rate mentioned in the return, and a
few from Maryland.' I do not know what can or will be
done to obtain further reinforcements of then) : but it ap
pears to me, taking matters in any point of light, that fur-i
ther aids fliould come from Virginia and Maryland-: for,
fhoulcl we be able to accommodate the continental forces
with clothes fo as to carry on a winter campaign, their af-
8 fiflanct-
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 201
fiftance will be material, either to maintain a blockade, or in
any deciiive flroke we may attempt. And if they cannot be
fo provided, and we ihuuid be obliged to retire into quarters,
their fervice will be iliii more ueceflary to ariift in eoverin^
the country againfl incuriions for forage and provisions.
The militia of this ftate, themfelves, fuppoiing they ihould
be tolerably vigorous in their exertions, will not be equal to
the talk : at leaft it will be difficult, if not impracticable, for
them to do it.-r-It is to be wiihed that fuch as can be drawn
out may be engaged to ferve three months, or two at leaft
(if it can be effected), after their arrival in camp ; and that a
mode could be adopted to fupply their places with others at
the expiration ot their term, Ihould the exigency of our af
fairs require it. A time for their continuance mould be fix
ed, or they will always be uneafy and pufhing off; and the
longer circumftances will admit it to be, the better : for, after
the period recurs, for which they come, it will be impofiible
to retain them a moment. — As to the number that fhould be
required, it is difficult to determine : however, it is likely it
will fall (hort of the requiiltion, as it ever has upon fuch
occafions.
There is a report prevailing in camp, which has come
through feverai channels that a fuccefsful expedition has
been made upon Rhode-Iflaud, and eight hundred prifoners
taken, with feverai pieces of artillery, and a large quantity of
fait. I heartily wifh it may be true : but at prefcnt it w;.i:ts
confirmation,
Mr Thompfon's letter of the twenty-firft ulrimo, with its
inclofures, came to hand yefiei day. — I join Congrefs moil
iincerely in congratulations on oar important fucceis in the
furrender of general Burgoyne at the head of his forces, 'and
am happy they have received a confirmation of the event
from general Gates.
I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W.
.202 GEN'EPvAL WASHINGTON'S
SlR, -Head-Quarters,. Whitc-Marjli, Nov. 8, 1777.
I DO myfelf the honor to inclofe you an extract of
a letter from major-general Dickinfon, of the fixth in-
ilant, by which it appears that a reinforcement has failed
from New-York, either for general Howe or fome other ex-
pedition. — I have not yet heard whether any of the troops
on their march from the northward have yet crofTecl the
North-river : but 1 hope they will be with me near as foo'n
as general Howe's reinforcement can arrive at Philadel
phia.
There was a heavy firing of cannon, all the day of the
fifth, down the river ; and in the evening forne mufketry
was heard ; from whence we concluded that an attack had
been made upon Fort-Mifflin. But it turned out to be an
attack made by general Varnum, with a twelve and an eigii-
teen-pounder fixed near Red-bank, upon the enemy's /hips.
He thinks he damaged the Somerfet of fixty-four guns confi-
derably, as fhe got on ground, and was for fome time ex-
pofed to his fire. — The fhips were obliged to quit their fta-
tions and fall lower down,.
From a variety of accounts and circumftances* I am in
duced to believe that the enemy are meditating a grand blow
againft Fort-Mifflln. — I have put the place in as good a (late
of defence as my prefent numbers will admit, and have di
rected general Varnum to. afford every further afliftance in
his power, I therefore hope they will meet a warm reception,
whenever they make the attempt.
The military cheft is again empty, and the army is unpaid
for the months of September and October, — beljdes the
Draughts that are requifite for the commiffary and quarter-
mailer-general's department. You will therefore be ple.ifcd
to dirccl: a fupply of caih to be lent on as expeditioufly as
pofiible.
I fear, from a letter which I have lately received from ge
neral Heath, that no proper meafurcs arc taken to put up a
fupply
OFFICIAL LETTERS*
fupply of fait provifions for next campaign, to the eaftwank
I have inclofed a copy of general Heath's letter to Mr. Bu
chanan, the comrniifary-general cfpurchafes, and have de-
iired him to have the matter looked into in time : but it is of
fo much importance to the very exiftence of the army, that I
think it deierves the attention of Congrefs,
I have the honor to be, &c. G^ W,
To HENRY LAURENS, Ef quire, Prejidcnt of Congrefs*
SIR, Camp at JVhlte-MarJli, November 10, 1777.
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the
fourth and fifth initant, with their feveral inclofures.— -
'Among thofe of the former, I found the refolution you are
pleafed to allude to, refpecting your appointment as prefi-
dent. — Permit me, fir, to congratulate you upon this event,
and to afiurG you I have the moR entire confidence that I
{hall experience in you during your prefrdency the fame po-
litenefs, and attention to the interefts of the flates,(that marked
the conduct of your worthy predeceflbr.
With refpedl: to the views of the navy-board for fecurino-
the frigates, the fituation of the army would not admit of a
compliance with them, fuppofmg they would anfwer the end.
I have therefore written to the board in the mod pr^fiing
terms, to have the frigates fcuttled in fuch way that they
may be raifed when it ihall be neceflary, and that in the
mean time they may not be liable to injury from floating ice.
— I fee no meafure fo likely to fecure them to us, and a-
gainft the enemy's attempts. — I have been extremely fearful
they would have pofTefied and employed them, with the
Delaware and their batteries, on the rear of the gallies and
the fort, while the fhips below attacked in front. I need
not point out the probable confequences of fuch an event ;
they are too obvious.
The reiblves which you rcquefl to be communicated to th&
iliall be pubiifhed in general orders. — The letters for
commodore.
204 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
-commodore Hazel wood, &c, have been put in a proper
channel of conveyance.
As to the difpofition of part, of the northern army, my
letter of the firft, continued to the third, contains my ideas
Upon the fiibje&,and thole of my general officers. — I {hall be
forry if the meaiures I have taken on this head fliould in
terfere with or materially vary from any plans Congrefs
might have had in view. Their proceedings of the rifth,
I prefume, were founded on a fuppofition that the enemy
were ftill up the North-river, and garrifoning the forts they
bad taken. — This not being the cafe, and all accounts agree
ing that reinforcements to general Howe are coming from
York, I hope the aids I have required will be coufidered ex
pedient and p'roper. Independent of the latter confideration,
I think our exertions and force, fhould be directed to efFeft
general Howe's deftruclion, if it is poffible.
Among the various difficulties attending the army, the ad-
jufiment of rank is not the leaf!. This,— owing to thefeveral
modes, the feveral principles, that have prevailed in grant
ing commiffions, — is involved in great perplexity. The of
ficers cf the Pennfylvania troops are in much confufion about
it : in many inftances, thofe \\l\o were junior in rank, from
local and- other oircumftanees, have obtained commiffions
older in date than thofe which were granted afterwards to of
ficers, their fuperiors before. This, with many other irregu
larities, has been and is the caufe of great uneaiinefs : and,
though precedency of rank fo claimed ihould not be fupport-
ed in juflicc cr upon any principle, — we find all, having the
Iciiffc pretext for the title, frrcnuous to fupport it, and wil
ling to hold a fupcnoiity. 1 was therefore induced to order
a board of officers to take the matter under confideration.
The rcfult, refpe&ing the field-officers of this (late, I now.
indofc, and wifh Congrefs to adopt the regulation which
the board have made* arid to tranfmit me, by the earliei];
opportunity, commiilions dated according to their arrange
ment. At the fame time it may be proper that there fliould
be
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
be a refolve vacating the commiffions they now have, and
directing them to be delivered to me. — Their attention to. this
bufmefs, I truft, will be immediate : the difpiites andjea-
ioufies with the officers require it.
I have inclofed the memorial of colond Portail and the
other engineers for their promotion, referred to me bv the
board of war for my fentiments. —As to the terms thefe gen
tlemen mentioned to have been propofed and agreed to when
they firfl arrived, I know nothing of them further than the
memorial ftates. — Tn refpecl: to their abilities and knowledge
in their profefiion, I muft obferve they have had no great
opportunity of proving them fmce they were in our fervice,
However, I have reafon to believe that they have been regu
larly bred in this important branch of war, and that their
talents, which have been hitherto, as it were, dormant, want
only a proper occafion to call them forth ; in which cafe*
I have no doubt they would do themfelves honor, and the
ftates eflential fervice. — It is of great importance, too, to
confider the practicability of replacing thefe gentlemen with
perfons equally qualified, if they mould quit the fervice ;
and how indifpenfable men of ikill in this branch of military
fcience are to every army. — While I am on this fubjecl:, I
would takathe liberty to mention that I have been well in
formed that the engineer in the northern army (Corieiki, I
think, his name is) is a gentleman of fcience and merit.
From the character I have had of him* he is deferring of no
tice too.
I would beg leave to mention that we are in great diftrefs
for want of money. This will be mere urgent every day :
and it is probable there will be a good deal of pay due to
the troops coming to reinforce us. — General Putnam writes
preiilngly for a fupply, and fays he is in a moft difagreeabk
Situation for want of it. — I mufc requeft the attention of Con-
grefs to this fubjedt.
Your favor of the feventh came to hand this .morning,—
1 {hall pay proper attention to the inclofures.- -The rank of
the
206 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the officers of cavalry I will attempt to have fettled as foon
as circumftances will admit.
I have nothing very interesting to communicate. — The
enemy have loft one of their new floating batteries : it funk
in a little time after it was launched. — There has been a can-
jnomide to-day : — itftill continues :-— I do not know the occa-
iion, but imagine it is between the (hips and gallies.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Camp near While- Mar J!i, November II, 1777-
THE' condition -of the army for want of clothes and
blankets, — and the little profpedr. we have of obtaining re
lief, according to the information I have received from the
board of war,— occafion me to trouble you at this time. —
The mode of feizing and forcing fupplies from the inhabit-*
ants, I fear, would prove very inadequate to the demands,
while it would certainly embitter the minds of the people,
and excite perhaps a hurtful jealoufy againft the army. — >
I have had officers out for the purpofe of purchafmg and
making voluntary collections of neceflaries ; and, in a few
inflances, more coercive meafures have been exercifed : but
all thefe have proved of little avail : our diftrelfes ftiil conti
nue, and are becoming greater. I would therefore humbly
fuhmit it to the conuderation of Congrefs whether it may
riot be expedient for them to addrefs the feveral leg.iflative
and executive powers of the ftates on this fubje£l as early
as poflible, and in the'moft urgent terms. It appears to me,
it they were 'to appoint, under the authority of Gongrefs,
proper active agents, that many neceffaries might be pro
cured in addition to thofe \_pur chafcd~\ on public account.
Befides this, I think the exigency of our affairs requires that
they (hould refoive on an immediate afTeffment to be made on
the inhabitants. — If thefe modes were adopted, confiderable
aids might be derived, and in a way much lefs exceptionable
than that of feizing by the army. — The ailemblies in many
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 207
ilates, I believe, arc now fitting ; and I have no doubt, upon
2t requilhion by Congrefs, but they will give attention to the
meafure.
Inclofed you will receive a copy of a letter from general
Putnam, which came to hand to-day. You will find his
and governor Clinton's Opinion refpecting the fortifications
neceflary to be made for the fecurity of the North-river. As
foon as I heard that Warner's militia were coming down to
reinforce me, I immediately wrote to countermand them,
and directed that they fhould be retained to carry on the ne
ceflary works during the time they are to ferve. — My letter
on this fubje6l was on the ninth inftant. — As to the other
troops, the propriety of bringing them here, 1 believe, is not
to be queftioned. We are told through various channels
that fir Henry Clinton is coining round with all the force
that can be poiTibly fparecl from New-York ; and it is faid
that thofe on Stuten-lfland are withdrawn. It is added alfo
that the inhabitants of the former are greatly alarmed and
difgufted, and that general Tryon is calling in the militia of
Long-Ifland for the defence of the city.— General Putnam's
letter will alfo' evince the neceffity there is for a large. and
immediate fupply of money being fent to the paymafler-ge-
neral.
I have alfo the honor to tranfmit you a copy of a report
by a board of general officeis, on the fubjett of rations,
which I fubrnit to the confiJeration of Congrefs. The efra-
bliihment and regulations which they propofe appear to
me to be juft and neccffary, fuppoiing the ccmmiffary's e-fH-
mate to be right, which I prefume is the cafe, from ihe ex
orbitant price which has been and is now paid for every fpe-
eies of provifion.— The neceffity of an alteration in the for
mer value has been long urged by many officers ; and, for
want of it, feveral, *I believe, have left the lervice.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. By advices juft received, thirty-eight tranfports have
arrived in Delaware with troops. They were as high v
Reedy-
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Reedy -Ifl. and yefterday. — I fuppofe they are from New- York,
—-The memorial of colonel Portail and the other engineers,
omitted to be inclofed in my letter of yelterday, is now trarif-
fiaitted,
Notwithstanding the meafures I have ventured to recom
mend on the fubjedt of clothing, I ihall purfue every means
in my power that will contribute to procure a fupply.
SIR, Head-Quarters, JVhhe-MarjJi, Nov. 17, 1777.
I AM forty to inform you that Fort-MifHin was eva
cuated the night before laft, after a defence which does cre
dit to the American arms, and will ever reflect the higheft
honor upon the officers and men of the garrifon. The
works were entirely beat down : every piece of cannon dif-
mounted, and one of the enemy's ihips fo near that fhe
threw grenades into the fort, and killed men upon the plat
forms, from her tops, before they quitted the ifland. This
fhip had been cut down for the purpofe, and fo conftruded
that fhe made but a fmall draught of water, and by thefe
means warped in between Fort-MifHin and Province-Ifland
Some complaints are made that the captains of the gallies did
not fufficiently exert themfelves to drive this veflel from her
ilation : but I. fliall not determine any thing upon the matter
till a proper inquiry is made.
Nothing in the courfe ot this campaign has taken up fo
much of the attention and coniideration of myfelf and all
the general officers, as the poffibility of giving a further re
lief to Fort-MifHin than what we had already afforded. —
Such a garrifon was thrown into it as has been found by ex
perience capable of defending it to the hft extremity : and
Red-bank, which was deemed clfcntially ncceflary, not only
for the purpofe of keeping open the communication, but of
annoying die enemy's {hips and covering our own fleet, has
Leen poffeffed by a considerable detachment from this army.
The only remaining and practicable mode of giving relief to
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 209
the fort was by diflodging the enemy from Province-Iflaud
from whence they kept up an inceflam tire. But this, from
the fituation of the ground, was not to be attempted vyith
any degree of fafety to the attacking party, without the
xvhole or a coniiderahle part of the army iliould be removed
to the weft fide of Schuylkill to fupport and cover it.
To account for this, you mud be made acquainted with'
the nature of the ground. — In order to have made the attack
upon Province-Ifland, the party defined for that fervice—
which {hould have been at lead fifteen hundred — muft have
marched down the Chefter road as far as the Bell inn near
Derby, ami thence, turning towards Delaware, mud have
proceeded about four miles further through a neck of land,
to the ifland. — The enemy have a bridge at the middle ferry
upon Schuylkill, which is but four miles from die Bell inn :
consequently, by throwing a body of men over that bridge
upon the fird difcovery -of our dcfign, and marching down
to the Bell, they would have effectually cut off our detach
ment upon their return.— It is true the covering party might
have confided of a lefs number than the whole army : but
then thofe remaining upon this fide of the rive would have
been too few to have been intruded with all the artillery and
(lores of the army, within twelve miles of the enemy.
There were many and very forcible reafons againd a total
remove to the wed fide of Schuylkill. Leaving all our
ftores at Eadori, Bethlehem and Allentown, uncovered, — •
and abandoning feveral of our hofpitals within reach of the
enemy, — firft prefented themfelves. — Another, and, in my
opinion, a more weighty reafon than either of the preceding,
was the importance of fupportiug the pod at Red-bank, up*
on which that of Foit-Miflim in a great meafure .depended*
as through it we fent in fupplies of men, provifion, and am
munition.— The enemy, fenfible of this, endeavored to dif*
lodge us from Red-bank on the twemy-fecorul of Lid month ;
which, as Congrefs have been informed, cull them four
hundred men.
VOL. II. P Kovr
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Now, had our' army been on the weft fide of Schuylkill,
they might, without any danger of an attack upon their lines,
have thrown over fo confiderable a force into Jerfey, that
they might have overpowered the garrifon, and, ,by making,
themfelves matters of it, have reduced Fort-Mifflin by fa
mine or want of ammunition. Thus we mould in all pro
bability have loft both pofts by one ftroke. — They might
alfo, by taking poflfeflion of the fords upon Schuylkill, have
rendered the jun6lion of our northern reinforcements with
us a verv difficult, if not an impracticable matter : and,
fhould any accident have happened to them, we /hould have
flood a very poor chance of looking general Howe in the
face through the winter with an inferior army. We fhould
finally have thrown the army into fuch a fituation, that we
muft inevitably have drawn on a general engagement before
our reinforcements arrived ; which, confidering our dif-
paritv of numbers, would probably have ended with the
rnoft difagreeable confequences.
Il was therefore determined a few days ago to wait the
arrival of the reinforcement from the northward before any
alteration could lately be made in the difpofition of the army :
and I was not without hopes that the fort would have held
oiit till that time.— That we might then have moved without
endangering the ftores, I had given orders for the removal of
them, from the places before mentioned, to Lebanon and.
other places in Lancafter county, which is at any rate more
fafe and convenient than where they were.
'As the keeping pofTeffion of Red-bank, and thereby ftill
preventing the enemy from weighing the chevaux-de-frife be
fore the troil obliges their mips to quit the river, has become
a matter of the greateft importance, I have determined to
fend down general St. Clair, general Knox, and baron
Kalb, t?o take a view of the ground, and to endeavor to form
a'judgment of the moft probable means of fecuring it. They
will at the fame, time fee how far it is poilible for our fleet to
keep their ftation £nce the lofs of Fort-Mi fiUn., and alfo
make
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 211.
make the proper inquiry into the conduct of the captains of
the gallies, mentioned in the former part of this letter.
I am informed that it is matter of amaze nent, and that
reflexions have been thrown out againft this army, for not
being more active and eiiterpriiing than, in the opinion of
fome, they ought to have been. If the charge is juft, the
beft way to account for it, will be to refer you to the returns
of our {Irength, and thofe which I can produce of the enemy,
and to the inclofed abfira£t of the clothing now actually
wanting for the army : and then I think the wonder will be,
how they keep the field at all in tents at this feafon of the
year. — What ftock the clothier-general has to fupply this
demand, or what are his proipects, he hi mfelf will inform,
you, as I have directed him to go to York-town to lay thefe
matters before Congrefs. There are, befides, molt of thofe
in the hofpitals more bare than thofe in the field : — many re
main there for want of clothes only.
Several general officers, unable to procure clothing in
the common line, have employed agents to purchafe up what
could be found in different parts of the country. General
Wayne, among others, has employed Mr. Zantzinger of
Lancafter, who has purchafed to the amount of four thou-
fand five hundred pounds, for which he defires a draught upon
the treafury-board. — Inclofed you have a copy of his letter.
— I am not clear whether this application fliould properly
be made to the treafury, or the clothier-general, who fhould
charge the money to the regiments for whom the clothes are,
as fo much advanced to them. If the latter fliould appear the
moft proper mode, I will order it to be done.
I am anxioufly waiting the arrival of the troops from the
northward, who ought, from the time they have had my or
ders, to have been here before this. Colonel Hamilton, one
of my aides, is up the North-river, doing all he can to pufh
them forward: but he writes me word that he finds many
unaccountable delays- thrown in his way. However 1 am
in hopes that many days will no: elapfe before a brigade or
P 2 tWO,'
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
two. at leall, arrive. — -The want of thefe troops has embar-
raffed all my meafures exceedingly.
November i"8.— - Your difpatchcs of the thirteenth and four
teenth have this moment come to hand. They {hall be at-
» ended to, and anfwered in my next'
I have the honor to be, &e. G. W.
S l R Plead- Quarters, White- Marjli, Nov. 23, 1777*
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the
thirteenth and nineteenth infhmt with their inclofures I am
well a flu red Congrefs have not been inattentive to the neceffi-
ties of the army ; and that the deficiency iu our fupplies, par
ticularly in the article of clothing, has arifen from the dif
ficulty of importing, on account of the numerous fleet that
line our coaft. However I am perfuaded that conflderable
relief might be drawn from the different ftates, were they
to exert themfelves properly. This 1 hope will be the cafe
as fooiv as they receive the prefTmg recommendations of Con
grefs upon the fubje6h
It has been the unvaried cuftom of theenemy,from the com-
mencement of the prefenr conteft, to try every artifice and
device to delude the people. The meffage through John
Brown was calculated for this end. I am forprifed Mr.
Willing ihould furFerhimfelf to be impofed on by fuch flimfy
meaiures. He knows that there is a plain obvious way for
general and lord Howe to communicate any proposals they
wifh to make, to Congrefs, without thc'intervention of a fe-
cond and third hand. But this would not fuit their views. — »
] am forry that Mr. Brown (hould be the bearer of the mef
fage -, as, from the character I have had of him, he is a
worthy, well-difpofed iMan, It has been frequently mention
ed that he had interested himfclf much in behalf of our priibn-
ers, and had afforded them every relief and comfort his cir-
cumftahces would allow him to give.
I have be<jn endeavoring to effedl an exchange of prifon-
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
crs, from principles of juftice, and from motives of hurnanii
ty : but at prefent I have no profpe<5t of it. Yet general
Howe has aiTured our officers it was his wifh, and, if it
could not be done, that he fhould readily agree to their re-
Jeafe on parole. — The inclofed copies of -my letters and his
anfwer will fhew Congrefs what has palled between us up
on that fubjecl:; and at the fame time, that I had remon-
ftrated againft the fevere and cruel treatment of tire prifoners,
and propofed the plan offending in a fuitable perfon to in~
quire into the facts, before the receipt of their resolution,
Their furFerings, I am perfuaded, have been great, and
Shocking to humanity. I have called upon general Howe for
redrefs, and an explicit anfwer to my letter of the fourteenth.
If I do not receive one by to-rnorrow night, with the mod po-
fitive and fatisfaclory afTui ances that a proper conduct ihaii
be obferved towards them in future, we mutt retaliate, how
ever much we wifh to avoid feverity, and meafures that bear
the fmalleft appearance of rigor or inhumanity.
Inclofed you will receive a lift of fundry officers who
have been camiered fmce the action of the fourth ultimo. — •
J flatter myfelf that thefe examples will involve many fa
vorable and beneficial confequences.-^-Beiides thefe, there
were many more brought to trial, who were acquitted ; a»
mong them, general Maxwell, and general Wayne, — the for
mer for charges againft him while he commanded the light
troops, — the latter for charges againft his conduct in the
attack made on his divifjon, in the night of the twentieth of
September, The reiujt of the court of inquiry againft gene^
ral Wayne not entirely exempting him from ceniure in his
own opinion, he requeued a court-martial ; and, upon a fuU
and minute inytiligation ol the charges againft him, he was
honorably acquitted, and in terms of high relpect,
I am forry to inform Cqngrcis that the enemy are now in
potfefTion of ail the water defences.^Forr-MifBin and that
at Red-bank mutually depended on each other for fupport ;
find the re^usSliqn of the former made the tenure of the Utter
P 3 extremely
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
extremely precarious, if not impracticable. After the lofs of
Fort-MifRin, it was found Red-bank could derive no advan
tages from the gallies and armed vcffels — (they could not
maintain their {ration) — and, in cafe of inveiliture, the gar-
riibn could have no fupplies, no retreat, nor any hope of re
lief, but fuch as might arife from a fuperior force acting
without on the rear of the enemy, and diflodging them. Un
der thefe circumflances, the garrrifon was obliged to evacu
ate it on the night of the twentieth inftant, on the approach
of lord Cornwallis who had croiTed the river from Chefter
with a detachment, iuppofed to be about two thoufand men,
and formed a junction with the troops lately arrived from
New-York, and thofe that had been landed before at BiU
lingfport.
From general Varnum's account, I have reafon to hope
that we faved moft of the ftores, except a few heavy cannon :
however I cannot be particular in this inflance. — I am aifo
to add, from the intelligence I have received, that moil if not
all the armed v^fTels have been burned by our ov;n people,
except the gallies, one brig, and two floops, which are faid
to have run by the city.-*- How far this might be founded in
neceffity, I am not able to determine ; but I iupuoie it was
done under that ulea, and an appreheniion of then lailing
into the enemy's hands if they attempted to pafs up the river.
Upon the firrl information I had of lord Cornw. ilia's move
ment, I detached general Huntington's brigade to join gene
ral Varnum, and, as foon as poflible, general Greene with
his divifion ; hoping that thefe. — with Glover's brigade which
was on the march through Jerfey, and which 1 directed
to file off to the left for the fame purpofe, — and with fuch
militia as could be collected, — would be able to defeat the
enemy's del gn, and to preferve the fou. But they were fo
rapid in their advances, that our troops could not form a
junction and arrive in time to fuccour the garrifon ; which
.obliged them to withdraw.
General Greene is ilill in Jerfey.; and when Glover's bri^
6 gade
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 215
joins him, if an attack can be made on lord Cornwall!*
with a profpecl: of fuccefs, I am perfuaded it will be done.
About a hundred and feventy of Morgan's corps are alfo gone
to reinforce him.
Generals Poor and Patterfon with their brigades, and colo
nel Bailey with Learned's, are now in camp. The laft ar
rived on friday evening, the other two in the courfe of yef-
terday. I have not yet obtained returns of their flrength ;
but, from the accounts of the officers, they will amount in the
whole to twenty-three or twenty-four hundred rank and file.
But I find many of them are very deficient in the articles of
fhoes, {lockings, breeches, and blankets — Befides thcfe, about
three hundred and fifty men,— detachments from Lee's, Jack-
fon's, and Henley's regiments, — have joined me.
Yefterday evening the enemy burned feveral houfes in the
neighborhood of Philadelphia, and they have committed the
moft wanton fpoil in many others.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarters, November 26, 1777.
I WAS yefterday morning honored with your favors
of the twenty-fecond inftant. — I with the meafures Congrefs
have adopted may effe&ually fupprefs the difturbances in the
weftern department. Should they prove fuccefsful, and the
favages and wicked deluded inhabitants receive a fevere
check, it is probable they will not be induced again to
take part againft us, or at leaft for fome confiderable rime.
Colonel Crawford fet out yefterday evening, and will be
with Congrefs, I expect, in the courfe of two or three days to
take their commands.
I was much obliged by the foreign intelligence you were
pleafed to tranfmit me : it is agreeable and interefting ; and
I heartily wilh there may be an early declaration of hofti-
lities between France and Britain. From thefe advices,
things feem to be getting into a proper train for it : and it iit
P 4 not
216 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
jiot eafily to be conceived that it can be much longer delay
ed. However our expectations have not been aniwered in
this inftance,-and they may yet be held in fufper-fa. The
political reafons, that lead to delay on the part of France, I
do not perfectly underftand. As to Britain, her honor is loft
in the conteft with us, and the inoft indignant infults will
fcarcely be able to draw her attention from her prefent pur-
fuits. — The account of Mr Lee having effe6ted the purpofes
of his embaiTy at the court of Berlin is of great importance,
if it be true. In fuch cafe, administration, however ddirous
they may be, will prcbubiv be difappointed in their fchemes
of further ir.v-Tcena.: v aids cgainfc us.
I .xiuit take the liberty to recjiiefi the decifion of Congrefs
on the cafe of the nine firM-rahed Virginia regiments as early
as circumftances will permit. If the plan propofed for re-
enlifting them is judged expedient, one capital inducement to
that end, fuggefled by the otlkers, will ceafe if it is longer
delaved. It is a matter ci confiderable importance, and of
which I wifh to be fatislied as foon as ppfuble. — I iliould alfo
be happy in their determination refpecling the marquis De la
Fayette. He is more and more lolicitous to be in adtual fer-
vicc, and is prefline; iu his applications for a command I
ventured before to fubmit my fcntiments upon the mcaiure ;
and I dill fear a refufdl will not only induce him to return
jn (lifguft, but may involve iome untavcrable coniecjuences^
— I iurie arc now fome vacant divilipiis in the army, .to one
of which he may be appointed, if it fhould be the ple^fure of
Congrefs. I am convinced he poiTefies a large ilia re of that
military ardor which generally chardC^erifes the nobility of
his country. He we, it to Jerley with general Greene, and I
find he lias not been inactive there. This you will perceiv^
by tiie -following CXIUICT from a letter j '.ill received from ge
neral Greene.
'* The rnur<]i;is, with about four IniiicireJ miliria and the
rifle corps, attacked nie cuemy's piquet iaft evening, killed
about twenty, svouruled many nioiv;, and cook about twenty
prifoners,
•' OFFICIAL LETTERS. 217
prifoners. Th, .o is charmed with the fpirited beha-,
yior of the miiiua and rifle corps : — il:ey drove the enemy
about half a mile, and kept the ground until dark. The
enemy's piquet confirmed of about three hundred, and were
reinforced during the il-iirmiih. — The marquis is determined
to be in the way ot daftger."
* * * I mud; ivqueft you to tranfmit me a number of
blank commiflions as loon as you ha 5 an opportunity to do
it. There are feveral vacancies yet to fill ; and the officers
entitled to them are anxious to be appointed. The commiiV
fions I want fhould he under your ugnature,and not Mr Han
cock's. I mention this, left you ihould fend any of the latter
that might remain. Thole iigned by you will be competent
to all cafes : thole by Mr Hancock, only to fuch as happen
ed during his prefidency ; and of thefe I have now fome.
November 27. — Incloied you will receive a copy of general
Howe's letter in aniwer to mine of the fourteenth and twenty-
third, which only came to hand la ft night, arid at an inflanc
%v hen I was giving the commifiary of prifoners inflru£rions
forthwith to confine a number of the officers in our hands,
and to put the privates under very different reftri&ions from
thofe they have been ufed to. —I am in hopes the treatment
of oilrs will be much better in future. Mr Boudinot will
iu;mediately take meafures for releasing the officers on pa
role, that we may relieve an equal number of ours. I fliould
huve been happy to have effected a general exchange, or a
partial one : but general Hov, ^ will not upon any terms but
thofc he has ever indited on.
The enemy have got up feveral of their fhips to the city.
It is likely they have tound a paiTage through the chevaux-de-
f'iife, or they may have removed s.hein.
J have the honor to be, 2cc. G. W.
2i8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Head-Quarters, IVliite-MarJIi, December I, 1777..
SIR,
ON SATURDAY I had the honor to receive your
£iyor of the twenty-fixth ultimo, with its inclofures. — The
refolve of the twenty-fifth I have publifhed in orders, agree
able to direction, and (hall be happy if Congrefs can fall upon
meafures to render the fituation of the officers and foldiery
more eligible than what it now is. At prefent it is truly dif-
trefTmg : and, unlefs fome means can be dcvifed to fupport
them more comfortably, we (hall have to apprehend the mofr.
alarming confequences. The officers, or at leaft a large pro
portion of them, as well as the men, are in a moft difagree-
able condition as to clothing, and without any certain pro-
fpe£t of relief: and, what is ftill more painful, — if perchance
they have an opportunity of purchaiing (which is feldoni the
cafe), they have the mortification to find themfelves totally
incompetent to it, from the depreciation of our money, and
the exorbitant prices demanded for all articles in this way. —
This is the fource of great uneafmefs, of indifference to the
fervice, and of repeated (I may fay, daily) applications to
leave it, and thefe too by as good officers as are in the Ame
rican line.
In refpect to promotions for merit and intrepidity, I
would beg leave to obferve, that, though thefe are proper
confiderations to found them upon, yet they fhould be made
with the greateft caution and attention, and only in cafes of
the moft eminent and diftinguifhed fervices. Every promo
tion or rife out of common courfe cannot fail to excite unea-
finefs in a greater or lefTer degree : and nothing will recon
cile them to the army at large, and particularly the officers
more immediately affected by them, — but where the caufes
are kndwn and acknowledged. — This I mention from my
wimes to promote the public intereft, from my knowing that
harmony is cffential to this cud, and from no other motives
whatever.
Before
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 219
Before the receipt of your favor, I do not recoiled to have
Jieard of John Simper's cafe. His brother has not been with
me. As foon as he arrives, I fhall give directions for him
to f>c releafed from his prefent confinement, and to be for
warded to Cecil county.
I have nothing material to inform you of. — Lord Corn-
wallis and the detachment under his command (mentioned in
my laft) returned from Jerfey on thurfday. — We had reafon
to expecl an attack iince, from our advices from the city,
but have been difappointed. — General Greene has alfo joined
me with ail the troops that were with him, except Hunting-
ton s brigade, which will be in to-day.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, IVhite-MarJh^ Dec- IO, 1777.
I HAVE the honor to inform you, that, in the courfe
of laft week, from a variety of intelligence, I had reafon to
expec~i that general Howe was preparing to give us a gene
ral action. Accordingly, on thurfday night he moved from
the city with all his force, except a very inconsiderable part
left in his lines and redoubts, — and appeared the next morn
ing on Chefnut-hill, in front of, and about three miles dif-
tant from, our right wing. As foon as their poiition was dif-
covered, the Pennfylvania militia were ordered from cur
right, to fkirmilh with their light advanced parties ; and I am
forry to mention that brigadier-general Irvine who led them
on had the misfortune to be wounded and to be made prifo-
ner. — Nothing more occurred on that day.
On friday night the enemy changed their ground, and
moved to our left, within a mile of our line, where they re
mained quiet and advantageonfly polled the whole of the next
day. On funday they inclined ilill further to our left ; and,
from every appearance, there was reafon to apprehend they
were determined on an action — In. this movement, their ad
vanced and flanking parties were warmly attacked by colonel
Morgan
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Morgan and his corps, and alfo by the Maryland militia un
der colonel Gift. — Their lofs I cannot afcertain : but I am
informed it was considerable, having regard to the number of
the corps who engaged them. — About funfet, after various
marches and counter-marches, they halted ; and I ftill fuppof-
cd, from their difpoiition and preceding manoeuvres, that they
would attack us in the night or early the next morning : but
in this I was miftaken.
On monday afternoon they began to move again, and, in-
ftead of advancing, filed off from their right : and the firft
certain account that I could obtain of their intentions was
that they were in .full march towards Philadelphia by two or
three routes. — I immediately detached light parties after them
to fail upon their rear : but tliey were not able to come up
with them.
The enemy's lofs, as I have obferved, I cannot afcertain.
One account from the city is that five hundred wounded ha4
been fent in : another is that eighty-two waggons had gone
in with men in this fituation. Thele, I fear, are both exag
gerated, and not to be depended upon.— We loft twcnty-feven
men in Morgan's corps, killed and wounded, befides major
Morris, a brave and gallant officer, who is among the latter.
Of the Maryland militia there were alfo fixteen or feventeen
wounded. — I have not received further returns yet.
I fincerely with that they had made an attack, as the iflue,
in all probability, — from the difpofition of our troops, and
the ftrong fituation of our camp, — would have been fortunate
and happy. At the fame time I muft add, that reafon, pru-,
dence, and every principle of policy, forbad us quitting our
pofc to attack them. Nothing but fuccefs would have jufli,
tied the mcafure : and this could not be expedied from their
poiition.
The conftant attention and watching I was obliged to give
.the enemy's movements would not allow me to write before:
and this I believe was the lei's material, as I have reafon to,
think your committee who were in camp mc(l of the time,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 2*1
and who are now here, transmitted an account of fuch oc
currences as they deemed important in any degree. The
firft caufe too, fir, and my engagements with the committee
previous to the coming out of the enemy, will, I truft, fuf-
ficiently apologife for my not acknowledging before the ho
nor of your favors of the thirtieth ultimo and the iirft inftant,
which came to hand in due order and time.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge, January 2* 1778.
I TAKE the liberty of introducing major John Clarke,
the bearer of this, to your notice. He entered the fervice at
the commencement of the vrar, and has for fome time paft
a&ed as aide-de-camp to major-general Greene. He is active,
fenfible, and enterprifmg, and has rendered me very great
affiftance fmce the army has been in Pennfylvania, by procur
ing me conftant and certain intelligence of the. motions and
intentions of the enemy.-— It is fome what uncertain whether
the ftate of the major's health will admit of his remain-*
ing in the military line : if it fliould, I may perhaps have*
occafion to recommend him in a more particular manner to
the favor of Congrefs at a future time. At prefent, I can
afTure you that if you fiiould, while he remains in the neigh
borhood of York, have any occafion for his fervices, you
will find him not only willing but very capable of executing
any of your commands.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W*
SIR, Falley-Forge, January 5, 1778*
I YESTERDAY evening had the honor of your'
favor of the nrfl inftant, with its feveral inclofures. — The
letter you allude to, from the committee of Congrefs and
board of war, came to hand on faturday morning : but it
does not mention the regulations adopted for removing the
i difikuluc*
222 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
difficulties and failures in the commifTary line. I trufl they
will be vigorous, or the army cannot exift. It will never
anfwer, to procure fupplies of clothing or proviiion by coer
cive meafures : — the fmall feizures made of the former a
few days ago in confequence of the moft preffing and ab-
folute necefTity, — when that, or to diffolve, was the alterna
tive, — excited the greateft alarm and uneafinefs even amonsj
our beft and warmeft friends. Such procedures may give
a momentary relief ; but, if repeated, will prove of the moft
pernicious confequence. Bcfides fpreading difaffe6tion, jea-
loufy, and fear in the people, they never fail, even in the
moft veteran troops under the moft rigid and exact difci-
pline, to raife in the foldiery a difpoiition to licentioufncfs,
to plunder and robbery, — difficult to fupprefs afterwards, and
which has proved not only ruinous to the inhabitants, but*
in many inftances, to armies themfelves. — I regret the occa-
fion that compelled us to the meafure the other day ; and
fhall conlider it among the greateft of our misfortunes, if we
fhould be under the nece/Tity of pradlifing it again.
I had received from the board of war a copy of the refo-
lutions of the twenty-ninth ultimo, and publifhed fuch parts
in orders as were directed. I fliall endeavor, as far as poffi-
blc, to carry the intention of Congrefs into execution, re-
fpecHng the extra pay, and to prevent any from receiving it,
who do not come under their defcription. — The three packets
with commiffions came fafe to hand.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
I am now under the neceflity of keeping feveral parties
from the army thrcfhing grain, that our fuppiics may not
fail : — but this will not do. — As to meat, our ftock is trifling,
not being iufficient for more than two days, if fo long, with
the moft {paring economy.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 223
SIR, Valley-Forge, January 9, 1778.
I YESTERDAY evening had the honor to receive
your favor of the fifth inftant, with its inclofures.— The
power Congrcfs have been pleafed to veft me with, for ap
pointing aides-de-camp, I fhall ufe with economy, and I will
not appoint more at any time than (hall be necefiary and ef-
fential to advance the public intereft. Any future appoint
ments that may be material will be made out of the line of
the army, if circumftances will allow it. In general this has
been the cafe.
The proceedings of Congrefs for the detention of general
Burgoyne and army, or rather fufpending their embarkation,
till the convention of Saratoga is explicitly ratified and noti
fied by the court of Britain, fhall remain fecret here till they
are duly announced by Congrefs.— This procedure, when
known to the general, will chagrin him much : for I learn
by a letter from general Heath, that the refufal to 4et his
troops embark at Rhode-Ifland or in the Sound had given
him fome uneafmefs.-— I have nothing of importance to com
municate ; and have only to add that I have the honor to be,
with great refpecfc, &cc. G. W.
P. S. The great diverfity of opinions prevailing, as to the
operation which the refolves of the thirtieth ultimo and firft
inftant ihould have, which give a month's extra pay, makes
it ncceflary for ine to requeft Congrefs to defcribe with cer
tainty and precifion the perfons who they intended fhould
be the particylar objects of their benevolence. Without this,
I am certain I mall not be able to execute the refolves accord
ing to their intention, and in a manner that will be agreeable
to the army,
If fuch officers and men as were in camp when the re
folves were palled, and who continue the whole winter, arc
the only objects to be benefited, it is urged that many who
have difcharged their duty with fidelity, — who have expe
rienced a fevere campaign to that time or rill a few days be
fore,— -who may be now out of camp, and yet be here
in
2*4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
m the courfe of the winter* — will be excluded. For ex-
ample* all officers and men on furlough, though they Ihould
have been long from their homes before, — perhaps much
longer, in many infhnces, than many who remain, — and
•whole private and family necefTities oblige them to be ab-
fent,— • tliofe who have fallen fick from their fervices, and
who are in hofpitals or the country, — 'detachments on com
mand, — thefe would be excluded. Such difcriminations, I
believe, will give great diiguft and uneafmefs.— -It is ditTi-
cult, in cafes of this nature, to draw a proper line of dif-*
lincSHon, and impOiTible to do it in fuch a way as to give
fatisfaclion.
I do not mean to enlarge upon the fubje«5fc : my only wi/h
is to have it precitely afcerrained, who are to be included and
paid, and who are not, under the refoives, that I may not on
the one hand act contrary to public intention, and on the
other givecaufe of complaint, afld perhaps do wrong to indi^
Viduals.
Knowing the difficulty of drawing a proper line, and the
itifeuit and murmuring that ever attend difcriminations, —
Were I to advife upon the t\ibie&, Only fuch officers and men
fhouid be excluded (lince extra pay has been determined on)
as are abfent from camp without regular authority* or fuch
as may abufe inaulgehcies regularly obtained;
It has been obferved by foine, and perhaps with propriety,
that there are officers and men now in camjpj or svho may be
fhortly iiij who have no ftipcrior claim to rnerit,~*\vhoffc af
fairs are not fo prdling, o'r who have a! rend v had indulgen-*
cies, — or who, from their being nearer tneir friends and
connexions, have hud opportunities of feeing them fre
quently, of ordering their concerns, ami vi iking their
homes once., twice, or perhaps oftener in the campaign, —
xvhilft they who were more remote were precluded from any
of thefe advantages, and were conftantlv on duty. Thcfo
confederations will have their weight in tlie Icale of difgaft
with th* parties intereiled* — For my part, though the re-
folvcs were founded in principles -of gt-nerolity, — were :n-
fended
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 22$
tended to reward merit, and promote the fervice, — from the
difficulties attending the execution, I wiili they had never
been made, efpecially as I believe officers and men would in
a little time have become tolerably well reconciled to their
quarters.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Valley-Forge^ January 12, 1778.
AS I do not recollecl: with precifion whether any, or
what refolutions have been made by Congrefs refpe&ing cap
tures by the army or detachments of it, and not having all
their proceedings with me, with which I have been honored
from time to time, to aflift my inquiries upon the fubjedt,-—
I muft take the liberty to requeft that they will determine, and
favor me with their decifions upon, the following points :
1. What articles capture <f are to be coniidered as public
property ?
2. Whether articles captured by parties or detachments,
not determined public property, are to be diftributed or fold
for the benefit of the army at large, or are to be confidered
as the fole and exclufive right of the captors ?
3. If, in general inflances, fuch articles as are taken, and
which are not confidered public property, are determined to
be the fole and exclufive right of the captors, — are flation-
ary detachments, who, from their fituation, have much more
than a common chance of making prizes, to be confidered
upon the faffie footing ?
4. If there is to be a difti notion between ftationary and
other detachments, — and the former are denied an exclufive
tight to the captures they make,— what proportion of the ar
ticles are they to have ?
I have been induced to flate the above queftions on ac
count of fome difficulties that have arifen refpecting the
prize taken by the detachment at Wilmington under general
Small wood, that the fame may be determined, and certain
VOL. II. Q^ principles
226 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
principles eftablifhed, to govern in
In the inftance of this prize, as the baggage taken (from ge
neral Snrallwood's and the officers' reprefentation) will be
but inconiuJerable when divided among themielves, 1 have
contented that they lhall have it at a juil: appraifement and
-diftribution, and have directed him to have the whole, and the
value, properly inventoried, that fuch order may be made re-
fpecting the latter, as the decifions of Congrefs mayjufUfy
and point out. I have alfo directed the fale of the brig, as
I underflancl'fome offers have been made for her, and as her
fituation may be confidered hazardous and precarious.
Beilcles the brig taken at Wilmington, a velTel has ftrand-
fcd at Reedy-Iiland with goods on board. It is faid a quan
tity of rum, fome bales of cloth, a number of hats, and
fome other articles (all wanted by the army), have been taken
out of her by the militia, particularly thofe of Kent coun
ty. Thefe general Smallwood is endeavoring to find, that
they may be of public benefit.
I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W.
Head- Quarters, January 13, 1778.
THIS will be delivered to you by the chevalier De
Mauduit du Pleffis, who was among thefirft French officers
that joined the army of the United States. The gallant con-
duel: of this young gentleman at Brandiwine, Germantown,
and his diftinguiihed fervices at Fort-Mercer where he unit
ed the offices of engineer and commandant of artillery, en
title him to the particular notice of Congrefs. — Fie made fe-
veral judicious alterations in the works at Red-bank, mewed
great oood conduct during the aclion in which the Heffians
•were repuHed, and was fpoken of, in confequence, in terms of
the higheft applaufe, by the commanding officer of the pofr..
After the evacuation was determined upon, he became the
means of faving fome valuable artillery and ftores, and cheer
fully undertook, as volunteer, the hazardous operation of
blowing
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 227
blowing up the magazine, &c, without the apparatus ufual-
ly provided upon fuch occafions. — I muft further add in
monfieur Du Pleflis* favor, that he pofTefTes a degree of
modefty not always found in men who have performed
brilliant actions. It is with pleafure therefore that I recom
mend it to Congrefs to grant him a brevet of lieutenant-colo
nel, — a reward due to his merit, and which will not have the
inconvenience of occasioning any diffatisfa&ion in the corps
to which he belongs.
As fome particular circumflances have prevented monfieur
Du Pleffis waiting upon Congrefs fooner, I hope there will
be no difficulty in antedating the brevet, fo that the recom-
penfe may more immediately follow the fervices which he has
done. At the fame time, that there may not be any uneadr
nefs on the part of monfieur Fieury whom Congrefs have
been pleafed to reward in the fame way, and as their times
of fervice are nearly equal in France, I would propofe that
monfieur Du Pleffis' brevet mould bear the fame date, viz.
the twenty-fixth of November.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Valley-Forge ', January 31, 1778.
I HAVE been honored with your feveral favors of
the fourteenth, nineteenth, twenty-fecond and twenty-fifth in-
ftant, in due order, with their inclofures, which ihall have
my attention. My application in preparing and digefting
matters for the conlideradop of the committee who are now
in camp prevented me acknowledging them before. — The
packet for governor Livingfton, which accompanied the firft
two, I tranfmitted him the next day by a careful hand, and
hope it got fafe to him.
The inclofed copy of a letter and memorial from general
Forman I would take the liberty of laying before Congrefs.
— Supplying the army with fait is a matter of infinite im
portance ; and if it can be accompli (lied, it is very much to
Q a be
228 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
be clefired. — How far general Forman may iucceecl in his
experiments, 1 cannot determine : but, from every account,
there is a favorable profpedt of his manufacturing a con-
iiderable quantity of this necefTary and eflential article. — For
the greater fccurity of the works againft the enemy's tender:-;,
Sec, he prays to be furniihed with a guard of fifty men. Kis
requisition is fubmitted to Congrefs ; and they will be pleaf-
ed to determine upon it in fucli manner as they may think
proper. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, ' Fallcy-Forge, February 3, I 7/8.
ON" the ultimo 1'had the honor to receive
your favor of the twenty-feventh, with the copies alluded to.
—As the proceedings of Congrefs in this inftance feem to
imply that our unfortunate people in the hands of the enemy
are to be victualled by us, I have only to wilh that the fup-
plies may be conftant and plentiful. I have tranfmitted your
'letter to Mr. Boudinot who is out of camp, and have reqaeft-
ed his mofi pointed attention to the buimefs. I have aifo
written to general Howe upon die occafion, and inclofed
him one of the copies. — In rny next I (hall take the liberty
of transmitting you a copy of my letter to him on this head,
and of fome others which have lately paffcd between us.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I with a fupply of money to be fent as foon ss pofii-
ble. Our diftrefTes for want of it are not eafily to be cle-
fcribed. What Mr. Palfrey brought with him was not fuffi-
cient to pay the troops for November, by two hundred and
fifty or three hundred thoufand dollars. The demands were
immenfe, moil of the eaflern troops having had four or five
months' pay due to them, and fome, more. The army now
in general has three months' pay in arrear, exclufive of the
month's extra pay ; and, belldes this, the quarter-mailer is
prefTmg for large draughts for the purpoies of his depart
ment, though he has received a proportion of the money
which came with Mr. Palfrey.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 229
SlR, Valley-Forge , February 8, 1778.
I HAVE been duly honored with your favor of the
third indant, and with its inclofnre.
As general M'Dou^al's late fcvere illaefs and prefent fee
ble (late will not permit him to proceed on the intended ex-
curfiou into Canada, baron De Kalb will follow the marquis
agreeable to his wifh and the direction of Congrefs.
According to the promife contained in my lad, I take the
liberty of tranfmitting you copies of inch letters as have lately
pafTed between general Howe and mvielf.
February 12. — Since writing the above, I have received
another letter from general Kowe, of the fifth inftant, a copy
of which, and of my anfwer, you have alio incloied. By
thefe you will perceive that he has propofed a general ex
change of prifoners, and that I have, acceded to it 1 have
written to Mr. Boudipof, commiiiary in this line, requiring
his return to camp ; and (hall give him directions to purfue
the moft fpeedy meafures for accomplishing this bufmefs, fo
interefting to the unhappy officers and men in general Howe's
huncis, and to the caufe of humanity. — There are fomc other
matters, as you will difcover, which I could not enter upon.
The foliation of the affairs of the army has not till lately
made it convenient to go into the inquiry directed by the refolve
of the twenty-eighth of November, of the lofTes of the Forts
Montgomery and Clinton in the (late of New- York, and of
Port-Ivliiilin on Delaware. With refpecl to the two former, it
happens that almoil all the principal officers a cling in that
quarter were in Come way or other fo far concerned in the
affair, as to make them improper for profecuting the inquiry.
I therefore propoie to fend officers from this army. If his
health will permit, I {houkl wiih general M'Dougal to pre-
iicle. His thorough knowledge of thofe polls and all their
connexions qualifies him in a peculiar manner for the pur-
pofe. — I have written to him on the fubjcci.
With refpecl: to Fort-MilFiin, the inquiry involves very
Q exteniive
230 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
extendve confiderations, and, more or lefs, afFecls almoft
all the general officers in this army, whofe advice and con
currence in the meafures taken make them in fome degree
parties. The mode, in my opinion, moft un-exceptionable to
be purfued, is for Congrefs to authorife a committee of their
own body, or to delegate any other perfons they may chufe
to entruft, not connected with the operations of this army, to
go into the buiincfs.
February 14. — Your feveral favors of the feventh, and that
of the eighth inftant, were duly received yefterday evening.
• — As foon as circumfhinces will admit, I fhall appoint a
court-martial in the cafe directed, and (hall notify the parties
concerned of the fame. — The oath, which Congrefs have
prefcribed to be taken by the officers of the army, I (hall pub-
Kill in general orders, and the mode how it is to be done,
with directions about the certificates. — I (hall extend colonel
Dyer's furlough to the firft of April, as required.
I have the honor to be, 8cc, G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge, Feb. 27, 1778,
I AM now to acknowledge the honor of your feveral
favors of the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twenty- firft inftant,
which, with their refpedtive inclofures, have been duly re
ceived,
In compliance with the refolution of Congrefs of the fifth
inftant, tranfmitted in your letter of the feventh, 1 was about
to take meafures for appointing a court-martial and bringing
on the trials which they diredt. But on recurring to the pa
pers you were pieafecl to fend me, I do not find that ihe
committee have made any particular charges againfl the of
ficers who are to be the objecls of trial. It was probably the
intention of Congrefs that thefe charges {houkl he laid by me.
But as I might err in doing it, and not fully correspond with
their views in fhe matter, — efpecially as it would require con-
fitlerable time ana thought to make myfelf fufficiently ac-
•quaintcd
O F F I C I A L L E T T E R S. 231
quainted with it from the papers collected, I ihould think it
would be moil adviiable for Congrefs to (late explicitly the
charges they wifli to have exhibited againft the officers re-
fpe&ively ; and then the bufmefs may be proceeded on with
propriety.
Beiides the above reafons which operate generally againft
my exhibiting the charges, — in the particular inftance of ge
neral Schuvler, it is impoffible for me to do it, as 1 do not
know what initructions he had received from Congrefs from
time to time as to the objects of his commaiu^nor precifely
•what thefe were. Thefe appear to me necefTary to be known,
and enential to carry on a profecution againft him.
When Congrefs {hall have arranged thefe points, and are
plcafcd to honor me with them, I will purfue the fpeedieft
meafures to bring on the trials. — The fooner this can be
done, the better, as fome of the parties are extremely anxious,
and fcrongly importune it.
Baron Steuben has arrived at camp. He appears to be much
of a gentleman, and, as tar as I have had an opportunity of
judging, a man of military knowledge, and acquainted with
the world.
The inciofed extract of a letter from general Putnam will
iliew how great the diftreiTes are in that quarter for want of
money. He has defcribed their neceffities fo fully, that it is
unneccfTary for me to add upon the fubje6t : 1 /hall only ob-
ferve that his account is more than juftified by many other
letters, and that I am perfuaded the earliefl poffible fupply
will be forwarded, that the very imponant and intercfting
works carrying on there may not be theleaft retarded.
I a -11 under fome embarraflnierits refpecling the thirteenth
Virginia regiment. It was railed on the weft fide of the
Allegany and towards Pittsburg, with affurances from the
officers, it is laid, that the men fhould not be drawn from
that quarter.— This circumftance, added to the difturbances
by the Indians, and the expofed iituation of their families,
has been the caufe of great defections, an4 is at prefent the
232 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fource of much uneafmefs, and the more fo, as part of the
regiment was never marched from thence. — I think the
whole fhould be united either here or there, and wifh Con-
grefs to direct me upon the fubjecL — At the fame time that
their cafe, if truly reprefentcd, feems to be hard, and to me
rit the indulgence they claim, I would obferve that the
twelfth regiment from the weftern parts of the fame {late,
and the eighth and twelfth Pennfylvania from the frontier
counties of this, have ilmilar preteniions, and might become
uneafy, and apply for a like indulgence.
Agreeable to the directions of Congrefs, I ihall fend a
major-general to Rhode- IfUnd, though the number of officers
here of this rank, from one caufe and another, is great
ly reduced, and more fo than it ought to be in point of
policy.
Our lofs of matrorTes, the laft campaign, in killed and
wounded, was coniiderable ; and it has not been a little in-
creafed this winter by defertions from colonel Pro6ter's
cofps. From thefe circumftances, we are very weak in this
line ; and I retjueft that Congrefs will be pleafcd to order
colonel Harrifon's regiment of artillery to march from Vir
ginia as early as the roads will admit, and join this army.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.
SIR, Valley-Forge, March 7 , 1778.
I TAKE the liberty of tranfmitting you copies of
three letters from general Howe, of the. fourteenth and twen^
ty-flril ultimo, and of the fecond inflant, with their inciofures.
— The unhappy violation of the flag of truce has laid us urs
dcr no fmall embarraffments, and has afforded the enemy good
grounds for complaint and triumph at the fame time. This
however is the natural -confequence, and mufl ever he the
cafe, where different powers counteract each other in mat-t
ters of the moft delicate importance. — There are fome cir-
cumdanccs attending this affair, which it mav poflibly be in
tke
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 233
the power of Congrefs to throw light upon. — If they can, I
iliail be obliged by their amftance.
Afarch 8. — Inconsequence of the letters which have lately
pafied between general Howe and myfelf,— particularly thofe
of the fifth and tenth ultimo, copies of which I had the ho
nor to tranfmit you in mine of the eighth, continued to the
fourteenth, — I was about to fend commiffioners to meet thofe
appointed by general Howe for adjufting the difputed points
between us, carrying into execution an exchange of prifoners,
and improving the old cartel, as far as it might be practic
able, for their better accommodation in future. This meeting
was to be on the tenth inftant : but, yefterday morning, Dun-
lap's paper of the fourth being put into my hands, I found
that a reiblution had been made the twenty fixth of February,
calling for all accounts againfl prifoners in our hands, and
declaring that no exchange fhould take place, till the ba
lance due thereon to the United States is difcharged. Some
of the ftates are not required to exhibit their claims till the
fu ft of June.- — The time that would be taken to adjuft them,
and make a delivery of the prifoners, would more than ex-
h a i:ft all the enfuing fummer.
Tills refolution I cannot ccnficleras an intended infraction
of my engagements with general Howe : yet its operation is
diametrically oppofjte both to the fpirit and letter of the pro-
poiidons made on rny part, and acceded to on his. I fup-
pofed myfelf fully authorifed " by the inductions and in^
tentions" of Congrefs to act as I did : and I now conceive
that the public as well as my own perfonal honor and faith
are pledged for the performance.
By the direction of Congrefs, I in the firfl: inftance ftipu^
h'ted with general Howe an exchange of prifoners, — officer
io<- oiTicer, of equal rank, — foldier for foldier, — and citizen
for citizen Tiiis agreement they have ever approved, and
repeatedly declared their willingnefs to carry into execution,
— Their refolution of the twenty-fourth of March laft em
powered me (on condition of general Lcc being declared ex
changeable]
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
changeable) not only " to proceed" to the exchange of prifon-
crs according to the principles and regulations of the carrel
before agreed on, but alfo to enter into fucli further princi
ples and regulations as il.ould appear to me mod proper and
advantageous. A fubfcqtient refolution of the fixth of June
holds torch the fame language, fanctions my conduct and
reafonings in the negotiations about that time on the fubje<5r,
and directs an adherence to them. — No event has occurred
flnce that period, by which I could conclude there was any
alteration in the views of Congrefs : — ib far from it, that all
my late letters breathing the fame fpirit with the former, and
pointedly fignifying my wifh to bring about a general ex
change, — if not with an exprefs, — at leafr met with a tacit ap
probation. — General Howe at length, by profefJion, if not
in reality, is willing to perform the agreement on the condi
tions required by me, and confirmed by them.
It may be faid, that, with whatever powers I was origin
ally vefted to negotiatean exchange, the resolution of the nine
teenth of December lad was an abridgment of them, fo far
as to annex a new condition, — the Settlement and payment
of accounts previous to its taking place. — I had no concep
tion of this being the cafe in the prefent inftance, however
the letu?*' may warrant the conHrucT-ion. Befides the common
principle of preventing the inconveniences necelTarilv rcfulting
from allowing the enemy to make their pavmcnts in paper
currency, I had reafon to imagine that genera! Burgoyne'-s
army was more particularly the object of the concluding
claufe. This interpretation I the more readily adopted ; for,
exclufive of the affairs of that army, 1 verily believed, that,
from the confufed defective {late of our accounts relating to
prifoners, there would be a conhdenible balance in favor of
Mr. Howe. Nor was the iituation of our accounts the only
reafon for this belief : — the prifoners in our hands, efpecially
thole weft ward of the Delaware, as I am informed, have?
been in a great meafure Supported bv their own labor, and at
the expenfe of the enemy, who have had agents ccnftantly
a ncn£
OFFICIAL LETTEP.S. 235
among us. — If this is the cafe, the reafon of the refolve not
applying, the effe6t ought not of courfe.
But perhaps it may be thought contrary to our intercft
•to go into an exchange, as the enemy would derive more
immediate advantage from it than we fhould. — This I ihall
not deny : but it appeared to me, that, on principles of ge
nuine, extend ve policy, independent of the confiderations of
compamon and jufKce, we were under an obligation not to
elude it. I have the bed evidence that an event of this kind
is the general wiih of the country :— -I know it to be the wifti
of the army; and no one can doubt that it is the ardent wilh
of the unhappy fufferers themfelves. We need only confult
the tide of humanity, and the fympathies natural to thofe con
nected by the cements of blood, intereft, and a common
dread of evil, to be convinced that the prevailing current of
fentiment demands an exchange. If the country, the army,
and even the pjifoners themfelves, had a precifc idea of our
circumllances, and could be fully feniible of the (iiiadvan-
ta«es that mirht attend the giving our enemv a confiderablc
£> O O O j
reinforcement without having an equivalent, they might per-
Ir.ips be willing to make a facrifice of their feelings to the
motives of policy. But they have not this knowledge, and
cannot be entruiled with it ; and their reafonings, of necef-
litv, will be governed by what they feel.
Were an opinion once to be eftablifhed (and the enemy
and their emiffaries know very well how to inculcate it, if
they are furniflied with a plaufible pretext), that we deflgned-
ly avoided an exchange, — it would be a caufe of diffatisfac-
tion and difguft to the country and to the army, — of refent-
ment and defperation to our captive officers and foldiers :—
to fay nothing of the importance of not hazarding our national
character hut upon the moll iblid grounds, efpecially in our
embryo ftate, from the influence it may have on our affairs
abroad,-;- it may r:ot be a little dangerous to beget in the minds
of our own countrymen a iufpicion that we do not pay the
{iricicit observance to the maxims of honor and good fuith.
It
236 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
It is prudent to ufe the greateft caution not to {hock the
notions of general jultice and humanity, univerfal among
mankind, as well in a public as a private view. In a bufi-
nefs on the fide of which the pailions are ib much concerned
as in the prefcnt, men would be readily difpcfed to believe
the woril, and cheriili the mod unfavorable conclufions.
Were the letters that have parTed between general Howe and
myfelf from firft to lull, and the proceedings of Congrefs on
the fame fubjecr, to be published with proper comments, it is
much to be feared, — if the exchange fhould be deferred till the
terms of the la ft refolve were fulfilled, — that it would be dif
ficult to prevent our being generally accufed with a breach
of good faith. Perhaps it might be faid, that, while the
enemy refufed us juilice, we fondly embraced the opportu
nity to be loud, perievering, inceiTant in our claims ; but the
moment they were willing to render it, we receded from
ourfelves, and darted new difficulties. — This, 1 fav, might
be the reafoning of fpeculative minds ; and they might con-
fider all our profeflions as mere profefiions ; or, at bell, that
intercft and policy were to be the only arbiters of their va
lidity.
Imputations of this nature would have a tendency to un
nerve our operations, by dirninifhing that -refpedt and confi
dence which are eiTential to be placed in thofe who are at the
head of affairs either in the civil or military line. This, ad
ded to the profpeCr. of hopelefs captivity, would be a great
discouragement to the fervice. The ill conferences of both
would be immenfe, — by increafmg the cauies of diicontent in
the army, which are already too numerous, and many of
which are in a great meafure unavoidable, — by fortifying
that unwillingnefs which already appears too great, towards
entering into the fervice, and of courfe impeding the pro-
grefs both of draughting and recruiting, — -by dejecting the
courage of the foldiery, from an apprehension of the horrors
of captivity, — and finally by reducing thofe, whofe lot it is to
driuk the bitter cup, to a defpair which can only find relief
by
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 237
by renouncing their attachments and engaging with their
captors. Thefe crFedts have already been experienced in
part from the obflacles that have lain in the way of exchan
ges : but if thefe obflacles were once to feem the refult of
fyflcm, they would become ten-fold. — Nothing has operated
more difagrceably upon the minds of the militia than the fear
of captivity, on the footing it has hitherto flood. — What
would be their reafonings, if it fhould be thought to (land
upon a \vorfe ?
If a prefent temporary mtereft is to be a ruling principle, it
is eafy to prove that an exchange can never take place. The
conftitution of our army in refpect to the term of fervice
for which our men engage, and the dependence we are
obliged to place on the militia, mult forever operate againft
us in exchanges, and forbid an equality of advantages.
Should it be faid that there are times when it might be more
peculiarly unequal and injurious, and that the prefent is fuch
on account of the weak condition of our army, — I anfwer
that the delay neceflarily involved in the previous negotia-
tion on the fubjedl, in delivering the prifoners from time to
time in frnall numbers and receiving others in their {lead,
and the mode of delivery at different places, will nearly bring
the matter to the point we could wifh, and give us leifure to
reinforce this army (if it is to be done at all), fo as to obvi
ate in a great ineafurc the ill ^ccnicquences apprehended.
But if the argument of interefi on a partial fcale be purfued
as far as it will go, not only the general confideration thrown
out above, but fpecial ones appetite to every fituation, will
prefent themfelvcs, that wo ought not to exchange : — now
we ought not, becaufc our army is weak ! — when thefeafon
is more advanced, and it is time for the campaign to open,
we ought not, becaufc our army may be ilrong, and it will
be our bufmeis to avail ourfelves of our own itrength and
the enemy's weaknefs, to {hike fome deciiive blow ! — if they,
by the protection of their {hipping and impregnable works,
fhould be able to baffle our attempts till the peiiod of rein
forcements
238 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
forcemcnts from Europe arrive, it will furcly then not be our
intereft to add numbers and ilrength to an enemy already
fufficiently numerous and fttong i — Thus, by a purity of
reafoning, the golden a?ra will never come, which is to
relieve the miferies of captivity. Our fervice muft become
odious : thofe who are out of it will endeavor to keep io ;
and thofe who are in it will widi to get out of it : every pri-
foner the enemy makes will be his foldier rather than fubmi:
to a rigorous and defpairing confinement.
If we do not feize the prefent propitious moment when the
neceffities of the enemy prefs them to reafonable terms, to
form and eftabliih a liberal cartel, it is not impofiible, in the
vicifTitudes and reverfes of war, that a time may come when
we (hould wiili we had embraced it, and intereft may flrong-
ly impel the enemy to decline it, except on the moft unequal
conditions. True policy, as wrell as good faith, in my opi
nion, binds us to improve the occaflon.
There are however fome ambiguities in general Howe's
conduct, which require explanation, and ought to put us
upon our guard. — I determined to make the affair of citi
zens, — viz, to procure an exemption from captivity for them,
if poffible, — or, if not, (fmce it cannot now be demanded as a
matter of right) to fix their exchangeability upon the eafieft
and moft unequivocal foundation, — an indifpenfable prelimi
nary to any further procedure ; and at the fame time to fecure
the exchange of general Lee and all other officers who have
been the particular objects of exception.
The interview intended between general Howe's commif-
fioners and thofe on our part on the tenth inftant is now poft-
poned. I cannot doubt that Congrefs, in prefervation of
the public faith and my perfonal honor, will remove all im
pediments that now oppofe themfelves to my engagements,
and that they will authorife me, through commiffioners ap
pointed for the purpole, to negotiate a more extenfive and
competent cartel, upon fuch principles as may appear advan
tageous and founded in neceffity, — any refolutions heretofore
to
OFFICIAL LETTERS. '239
to the contrary notwithstanding ; ami I mull requeft that
they will favor me with their anfwer by the earlieft oppor*-
t unity.
The work, from its nature, will be difficult. Two parties
arc concerned, whofe interefts are more than oppofite in a
common view. — We (hall endeavor to act for the bell, and
to promote the public fervice as far as pofiible, though we
.may not he able to anfwer the expectations of all. But it
jfhould be remembered, that, although general Howe's want
of men affords a profpect of favorable terms, yet he will not
be difpofed to facrifice to it all coniiderations of general ad
vantage in a contract of fuch a nature ; and it is not even to
be hoped that it can take place except on principles of mutual
benefit.
I perfuade myfelfthat the freedom I have taken in deliver
ing my fentiments fo fully upon this occafion will readily be
excufed, as it proceeds from a defire to place the motives of
my conduct in a juft point of view, and from an opinion of
duty that led me to a free difcuffion of a fubject, which, con-
fidered in all its lights, will appear to comprehend confe-
quenccs of the firft delicacy and magnitude.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge, March 9, 1778.
I HAVE been this day favored with yours of the
twentv-feventh of February, and of the fecond, third, and
fourth inflant, which I (hall anfwer in their order.
The removal of fo valuable a train of field artillery from
Albany to Farmington, as to a place of greater fecurity, was
certainly a meafure highly proper ; and you may be a flu red
that every precaution fliall be taken to efcort them fafely
through Jerfey to this camp, when it is thought advifable
to bring them hither.
You miftook the intent of mine of the eighteenth of Fe
bruary. I did not mean to give you the trouble of making a
return
24o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
return of the Britifh officers who were exchanged after the
convention. General Reidefel, as I informed you, wrote to
me to obtain liberty for him to make an exchange of fome of
his fuite and other foreign officers, as that liberty had been
allowed to the Britifh. I did not chufc to give him any an-
fwer until I had applied to you, that I might know whether
you had any reafon for making fuch diftinction : and as you
mifapprehended me, I {hall ftiil be obliged to defer anfwering
him till I hear from you. — I think, considering the great num
ber of officers of ours who are in captivity, it is our interefl
to exchange as many of their officers, prifoners under the
convention, as we can.
Commiflioners from me are to meet others .from general
Howe on the thirty-rirfl of this month, to endeavor to fettle
a general exchange of prifoners. — Until we know the ifTue of
the negotiation, it will be hardly worth while to alter the fi-
tuation of the prifoners in Lancafter county.
On the twenty-fevemh of February I had occafion to write
to Congrefs, on the fubjedt of yours of the third. It was oc-
cafioned by a reprefentation from the colonel of the thirteenth
Virginia regiment which was raifed (as colonel M'Kay's
and Cook's were) to- remain upon the frontier. Were this
the cafe with only one regiment, 1 fhould r\ot hefitate, con-
iidering the face of affairs to the \veftwartl, to order it imme
diately to Fort-Pitt or the neighborhood. But the eighth
and twelfth Pennfylvania, and the twelfth and thirteenth Vir
ginia, all claim the fame right ; and if the indulgence is grant
ed to one, the others will be difTatisfied : and to fpare them
all at this time is irripoflible.
To regain the deferters from thofe regiments is certainly a
very deferable thing ; and the mode you point out is the moft
probable. But I fear, if thofe men who are now here find that
the deferters are not to be brought down to join their regi
ments in camp, that they may be induced to go off, in hopes
of obtaining the fame terms. I coniefs I am much embarraff-
ed by this matter, and ihall be exceedingly glad to have the
2 advice
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 241
advice and affiftance of Congrefs and the board upon the
fubjecSr., before I come to any determination. It is an evil
that will ever refult from enliftments for local purpofes,
\vhen it is not convenient to abide by the agreement.
J ihall immediately tranfmit the papers, inclofed in yours
of the fourth, to general Howe.
I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W*
P. S. Several inftances having occurred, in which officers
have drawn clothing from the clothier-general, not being
entitled to it, — I fhall be glad, if any applications are made
to the board in future, that they will never give orders to
any but fuch as bring teftimonials from the brigadier or of
ficer commanding the brigade they belong to. — Some who
have religned have taken up clothing on their return home*
t
SIR, Valley-Forge, March 12, 1778.
ON funday night 1 had the honor to receive your fa-
vors of the firft and fifth inftant, with their inclofures.
I am happy to find that my paft conduct reflecting citi
zens, in the correfpondence between general Howe and my-
felf, is approved by Congrefs. They may reft afTured that
their rights are ftrongly imprefTed on my mind j and that,
in all my tranfaCtions, every fupport in my power fhall be
given them. I know their importance ; and, in my expected
negotiations with general Howe, if poffible, I will exempt
citizens from captivity. However I cannot hope to effect it,
as I cannot demand it as a matter of right, lince Congrefs
themfelves, in their original refolve directing a propofition
to be made for the exchange of prifoners, mentioned that or
citizens, — which implied a right of capturing them.
They may alfo be allured that general Lee will not be for
gotten. He has all along been a principal object in difpute i
and, fo far from doing any thing injurious to him, his right to
be exchanged, and his releafement, are intended to be placed
VOL. IL R
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
upon the mod explicit, unambiguous footing. —Indeed, from
the fpirit of general Howe's letters collectively taken, fince
his agreement to enlarge the officers on parole in the firft in*
(lance, and his exteniion of it in the laft to an exchange,—
though they are not free from ambiguities, — it may be infer*
red, that, on fending in lieutenant-colonel Campbell and the
Heflian field-officers captured at Trenton, an exchange of all
officers will immediately commence. Jt feems to be a point
with him that it fhall begin with them, as they have been
Jongeft in captivity. — I have taken the liberty to inclofe you
copies of three letters which have jufl pafled between general
Howe and myfelf, more particularly concerning general Lee,
in which I have puihed matters refpecling him as far as I
thought it prudent at this time. — Every precaution will cer
tainly be ufed to prevent the enemy gaining any advantage in
the exchange of prifoners.
With great deference, I would take the liberty to obferve
that Congrefs feem to have carried the preamble of their re*
folve of the twenty- fixth ultimo, prohibiting the enlifling
Sec, prifoners and deferters, too far ; and, through accident,
to have recited a fact that has never happened fat leaft to my
knowledge), and which is injurious to us, — viz, that prifon
ers had been enlifted by us. If any have, it is what I never
knew. However, be this as it may, if the refolution has
not been published, I could wifli the preamble to be altered,
and only lo recite, " that experience, &c, in deferters" only.
The refolution itfelf may Hand as it does, comprehending a
-prohibition aguinft the enliftment of both.
My reafon for troubling Congrefs upon this occafion is,
— we have always complained againft general Howe, and flill
do, for obliging or permitting the prifoners in his hands to
enlift, as an unwarrantable procedure, and wholly repugnant
to the fpirit at ieaft of the cartel. This preamble feems to
admit the practice on our part, which would certainly juflify
it in him, and is fuch evidence as niuft filence us in future
(iliculd it it and), and afford him an opportunity for recrimi
nation,—?'
OFFICIAL LETTERS. $43
nation, — though, as I have fuggefted, I believe no prifoners
have ever been enlifted by us, — I am fure, none, have through
compurfion.
I have the pleafufe to tranfmit you an extract of a letter
from captain Barry, which will inform you of his fuccefles.
The two (hips he burned after dripping them ; and he was
obliged, it feemS, two days after the capture, to ground and
abandon the fchooner, after a long and fevere engagement with
fome of the enemy's frigates and ' frqaller armed vefiels. — It
is faid he faved her guns and moil of her tackle.
I alfo take the liberty to lay before Congrcfs copies of
letters from meflieurs' Champion, Wadfworth, and Reed.
From the uniformity of fentiment held forth by thefe gen
tlemen, it is much to be feared the meafures lately adopted
by the commiffioners at New-haven, for regulating the
prices of provifion, will have a difagreeable effect upon our
fupplics of meat.— How far it may be practicable to fuf-
pend their operation for a time, I cannot determine : but, if
it can be done, it appears we fhould experience many advan
tages from it. It is a matter of great importance ; and, as
fuch, is fubrriitted to Congrefs for their confideration — If
any thing can be done to procure fupplies of provifion, par
ticularly of the fait kind, I fliould fuppofe, and am perfuaded,
it will not be omitted.
I have die honor to be, &c. G. W«
SIR, Head-Quarters, March 14, 1778,
THIS will be prefented to 'you by count Pulafkj,
who, from a conviction that his remaining at the head of
the cavalry was a conftant fubject of uneafmefa to the prin
cipal officers of that corps, has been induced to refign his
command. Waving a minute inquiry into the caufes of dif-
fatisfadtion, — which may be reduced perhaps to the difadvant,
tages under which he labored, as a ftranger not well ac
quainted with the language, genius and manners of this coun-
R 2, try,—
244 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
try, — k may be fislEcient to obferve tliajt the degree of har-
raony which is isifeparable from the well-being and confequent
utility of a corps, has not fubfiiled'in the cavalry fuice his
appointment, and that the moft effectual as well as the eafieft
remedy is that which he has generoufly applied.
The count however, far from being difgufted with the fer-
vice, is led by his thirft of glory, and zeal for the caufe of li
berty, to folicit farther employment, and waits upon Con-
gres to make his propofals. They are briefly that he be al
lowed to raife an independent corps compofed of ilxty-eight
horfe and two hundred foot, — the horfe to be armed with
lances, and the foot equipped in die manner of Jight infantry.
The former he thinks he can readily fill with natives of good
caara&r aad worthy the truft repofed in them. With refpe<3:
to the other, he is deiirous of more latitude, fo as to have
liberty of engaging prifbners &ad deferters from the enemy,
The original plan for the lance-men was to have draughted
them from the regiments of horfe. But, as this method
would produce a claming of interefls and perhaps occafion
new di&urbances, the count prefers having a corps totally
unconnected with any other. My advice to him, therefore,
is to eniift his number of cavalry with the continental boun
ty ; and, if it Should be found confonant to the views of Con-
grefs ta~ allow his raifing the number propofed over and above
the eftabliflimefit for the horfe, then he would have them on
the footing of an independent corps: if not? he might at all
events have them as draughts ; and in this cafe there would be
no ground for complaint.
With regard to the Infantry, which the count efkeins ef-
fential to- the fuccefs of the cavalry, I have informed him,
that the eniUHng defeiters and prifoners is prohibited by a
late refolve of CongreiL — How far Congrefs might be in
clined to make an exception,, and licenfe the engaging prifon-
ers in a particular detached corp«, in which fuch characters
may be admitted with kfs ili.u^r rhan promifciioufly in the
line, — I casmat yndeitake to prouuuiice,
I have
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 245
I have only to add that the count's valor and a&Ive zeal on
all occafions have done him great honor ; and, from a per-
fuafion, that, by being lefs expofed to the in*BHveniences which
he has hitherto experienced, he will render great fervices
with fuch a command as he afks for, I wKh hita to fucceed
in his application. — I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W.
P. S. It is to be imderftood that the count experts to re
tain his rank as brigadier, and, I think, is entitled to it from
his general chara&er and particular difintereftednefs on the
prefent occafion,
SIR, Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge, March 16, 1778.
I HAVE the honor to tranfmit you a letter from go
vernor Clinton which he inclofed to me for my perufal and
confideration. — The inconvenience he mentions, as refulting
from the refolve refpec~r.ing the appointment of a command
ant for Forts Montgomery and Clinton, requires to be ob
viated. I do not conceive it to have been the defign of
Congrefs to make the command of thofe forts altogether dif-
tin6l and independent on the general command of the pofts
in that quarter ; but only to defignate the rank of the officer
who mould have the immediate charge of them.
There is fuch an intimate connexion between the forts and
the other pofts and paiTes in the Highlands and their vicinity,
that it is neceflfary for one officer to have the fuperin-
tendency and control of the whole, and to be anfwerable for
all. If this were not to be the cafe, but the command were
to be divided, there might wrant that co-operation between
the garrifons and the troops without, which might be effen-
tialto their prefervation and to the common purpofes qf de
fence. The affigning a fixed number of men to the gar
rifons would not remove this inconvenience; for the co-ope
ration would flill be rieceffary. But if it were otherwife, I
fhould not think the meafure advifable, becaufe we do not
know what number of men we may have m the field next
R 3 campaign;
246 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
campaign ; and the number for the defence of the Highlands
mull be proportioned to the general flrength ; and the force
of the garrifons, j£ that number.
On thefe confiderations, having ordered general M'Dougal
to repair to the Highlands to uffume the chief command
there, I have comprehended the forts among the other ob~
je6ts of his truft ; in the difcharge of which, I am perfuaded
he will manifeft adequate zeal and ability. But as the re-
folve in queftion affords room for doubt, it will be proper
to have it explained, fo as more explicitly to.afcerta.in the in
tention of Congrefs.
I am perfectly in fentiment with governor Clinton on the
propriety of drawing the troops from the northward to rein*
force and carry on the works in the Highlands, From every
thing I can learn, there feems to be no profpe6r, of profe-
cuting the intended expedition into Canada. If fo, I appre
hend it can anfwer no valuable end to keep a body of troops
in and about Albany, — In the prefent circumftances of Ca
nada, little is to be dreaded thence ; the enemy, in all pro
bability, will be well fatisfied to a£t on the defence, with
out riildng the confequences of an attempt againft us. A
proper garrifon at Fort-Schuyler, and a fmall party by way
of guard at Albany, with the militia of the country that may
be occafionally drawn together, will be a fufficient fecurity
againft the inroads of the enemy from Canada, or the depre
dations of the neighboring Indians, fuppofing there were any
of the tribes whofe difpofitions were ftill actively hoftile not-
withflanding our late northern fucceffes, — which is by no
means a natural fuppofition, — AH the men, more than are
wanted for thefe purpofes, would be of the mod important
utility in the Highlands.
If the arms and {lores at Albany fhould be thought an
obje£lion to the plan, I would beg leave to obferve that Al
bany appears to me a mod improper place for flationary ar->
fenals or magazines, and that thofe which are there, at pre*i
fent fhould be removed without delay. Befides^ as they
would
'©•F-FICIAL LETTERS. -- 247
would be in mod danger from- an incurfion up the North-.
river, the beft way to counteract that danger i^ to.itrt; gthen
the paries in the Highlands, and obftru£t the navigation ; m
order to which, the reinforcing them with the troops from
the northward would be no inconfiderabk ftep.-r— With the
greateft refpect, 1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
-SlR, Valley-Forge^ March 16,1778.
THIS will be delivered you by captain Sullivan, who
waits on Congrefs upon the fubje& of pay and the lofs of
his rank in the line of the Maflachufetts officers. — He is one
of the gentlemen, who, in going with major Sherburne to re
lieve the poft we had at the Cedars in 1776, after a brave
and gallant conduct, fell into the enemy's hands. In a few-
days after, on the treaty which general Arnold made, he
generouily offered himfelf, as I have been informed, and
went one of the hoilages to Qtiebec, for the performance
of it.
By fome means the ftate of Mafiachufetts-Bay has not
continued him in their line, nor has he any appointment in
the army. He is now on parole, through the indulgence of
general Carleton, and has applied to me for pay and rations
from the time of his return : and confidering alfo the depri*
vation of his rank as hard and injurious, he hopes he will be
provided for in a fuitable manner, and according- to that
Handing which he formerly held in the army.
Captain Sullivan's wimes in either inftance cannot be an-
fwered by me. — As to the firft, the refolution of the nine
teenth of January, regulating the pay of prifoners (which is
the only rule for my government), feems to have drawn
the line bstween officers on parole who are continued in fer-
vice, and thofe who are not; and, making that the only cri-
ierion to fix pay, to have precluded every other difcrimina-
lion : and the powers* which were veiled in the refpeclive
R 4 dates
248 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
flates to appoint officers, prohibit any interference by me in
his favor, as to the latter.
I have ftated the nature of the captain's claims, and the
reafons which are oppofed to his obtaining relief in either
inftance from me. I fhall only add that the neglecl: by the
ftates (in their appointments) of the officers who were in
captivity, where there was no other objection to them, was
at lead ungenerous, if not impolitic and unjuft It has been
the cafe in many inftances : and as to the gentleman who is
particularly the fubjeft of this letter, the teftimonials that
have been given of his character as an officer were much in
his favor, and greatly to his honor.
By accident, the refolution of the nineteenth of January,
alluded to above, has been miflaid. I muft trouble you with
a requeft for another copy of it.
I tranfmit Congrefs colonel * * * 5s application to
refign. As general Huntington, in whofe brigade he is, and
in whom I have the utmofl confidence, is perfectly willing,
1 have only to fay upon the occafion that I have not the
{malleft obje&ion to the meafure.
General Sullivan fet out for Rhode-TUand on friday laft,
to take the command there in confequence of the refolution
of Congrefs directing me to fend a major-general there for
that purpofe. Suppoiing general Greene in the quarter-
matter line, I have now only one major-general left in camp.
J have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-quarters^ Valley-Forge* March 17, 1778,
ON faturday I had the honor to receive your favor
pf the tenth, with the refolutions alluded to.
Inclofed I take the liberty to tranfmit an extract of a let
ter juft received'from general Parfons. — This, as well as the
letter which I inclofed you yeilerday from governor Clinton,
will fhew the conf ufion in the management of affairs on the
North-
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 249
North-river. I informed Congrefs then that I had fent ge
neral M'Dougal to take the chief command there, compre
hending the forts,— which appeared to me the only effectual
means for curing all diforders, and promoting the public
fervice. — To remove all impediments, it were to be wimed
that Congrefs would inveft him with every neceflary power
for carrying into execution the objects of his command :
and it might be well if they were to extend to any future
commanding oificer, as it would prevent thofe difficulties
which have heretofore arifen from their having been confi-
dered as merely perfonal.
I am more and more in fentiment with governor Clinton
en the propriety and abfolute neceffity of drawing the troops
from the northward, to reinforce and carry on the works in
the Highlands. From the information I have from co
lonel Radiere who has juft come from thence, I find that
the intended defences are far lefs advanced than I had any
idea of. According to him, little or nothing is yet done,
though I have repeatedly and conflantly urged the profecu-
tion of them with all poflible induftry. The inciofed co
pies of my letters to general Putnam will mew that I have
uniformly prefled the clofeft attention to the bufmcfs, —
though it might be inferred from general Parfons's letter
that there had been fome inconfiftency in my orders. — There
remains but a little time to do a great deal in j and I fear
that no exertions now will be fufficient to place things in
that quarter on the fecure and refpe&able footing we cou'4
vvifh. However, we mould do the moil we can : and if the
works cannot be as complete as they ought, the troops will
be there ; and a reliance muft be had in their bravery, to
repel any attempt that may be formed againft them.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
25* GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SlR, Head-quarter^ March 1 8, 1788.
I HAVE the honor of tranfmitting you the inclofed
letter from general Smallwood, giving intelligence of the
enemy's motions on the Delaware, and his conjectures re-
fpe£ling their" object. The account he has heard of troops
being on board the veffels is confirmed by the relations of
deferters arid others, who agree that a confiderable number
of men have been embarked, and add that they took feven-
teen days' provifion with them. From this circumftance it
is fcarcely to be imagined that they are ordered on a fea
voyage. — The proportion of fmall veflels in the fleet makes
it probable that they have in view to colleft forage, or at
tempt the deftrudtion of the falt-works ; and both thefe
ideas are favored by accounts from the city. — As foon as
their intentions are certainly known, they (hall be commu
nicated. In the mean time I have the honor to be, with the
greateft refpea, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-quarters^ Valley-Forge^ March 21, 1778.
I HAVE the honor of yours of the fourteenth and
fifteenth inftant.— In confequence of the refolves tranfmitted
to me, I have difpatched an exprefs to the marquis De la
Fayette and baron De Kalb, to recall them from the north
ward : and, inftead of ordering down Hazen's regiment to
rejoin this army, I have ordered Van Schakk's immediately
to the Highlands, where the public works are in a manner
at a (land for want of hands. Van Schaick's is a full and
frefh regiment, — Hazen's but weak in point of numbers,
and rnuft be confiderably fatigued from their late long
march, * * *
I have the hone* to be, &c. 'G. W*
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 251
SIR, Valley. Forge, March 24, 1778.
HEREWITH I do myfelf the honor to inclofc co
pies of a letter from an officer of militia at Elizabethtown,
to me, and an extract of a letter from one of Mr. Boudinot's
deputies at Bofton, to him, — both tending to induce a be*
lief that the enemy have fome enterprife in contemplation.
What this is, time muft difcover. — I have this whole winter
been clearly of opinion that general Howe's movements
would be very early this fpring, to take advantage of the
weak (late of our army, — or -late, if he ex peeled con Fide r able
reinforcements from England, and meant to avail himfelf of
his full itrength. — If the firft takes place, as appearances
indicate, it may, I think, be confide red as a proof of one or
both of thefe two things, — that he is either well informed
(he cannot indeed be otherwife) of the fituation, and more
than probably, the ftrength of cur army, — or that he ex
pects no considerable reinforcements this year from Europe,
In either cafe it is our indifpenfable duty to reinforce and
arrange our army as fpeedily as pofiible, that we may in the
firfl iirflance be prepared for defence, — in the fecond, take
Advantage of any favorable circumftance which may happen,
to injure the enemy.
Whatever may be the defigns of Congrefs with refpecl: to
the eliiiblifhrnent of the army, I know not • but I do moil
carneilly and devoutly recommend a fpeedy adoption of
them, and the appointment of officers, as our pfefent folia
tion at this advanced feafon is truly alarming, and to me
highly diflre fling, as I am convinced that we (hail IMJ
plunged into the campaign before our arrangements arc
made, and the army properly organifed.
The numbeilefs difadvantages, refulting from die late ap
pointment of general officers laft year, make me "look for*
ward with infinite anxiety, this : — for, after all the wifdom
that Congrefs or their committee can ufe in the choice of
rsj many will be difgufted : resignations of fome and
perhaps
252: GENERAL WASHINGTON^
perhaps non-acceptance of others will follow. Before mat
ters then can be brought to a proper tone, much time will be
loft, and a great deal of-trouble and vexation encountered, —
to overcome which, is not the work of a day : and, till they
are overcome, confufion, diforder, and lofs, muft prevail.
In the mean while, order, regularity, and difcipline, — which
require the vigilance of every officer to eftablifh, and muft
low from the general officers in every army, — are neglected,
©r not entered upon in time, to efFe6t. Thus it happened
fail year j and brigades and divifions became vacant, to the
great injury of the fervice.
As it is not improper for Congrefs to have fome idea of
the prefent temper of the army, it may not be amifs to re
mark in this place, that, fince the month of Auguft laft,
Between two and three hundred officers have refigned their
eommiffions, and many others were with difficulty diffuaded
from it. In the Virginia line only, not lefs than fix colonels,
as good as any in the fervice, have left it lately ; and more, I
am toldy are in the humor to do fo.
Highly advantageous alfo would it be, if the recruits
and draughts from North-Carolina and Virginia were not fuf «
fered to halt on their way to camp under pretence of getting
equipped, but fent forward and incorporated into the differ
ent regiments of their refpe£Uve ftates as foon as it could be
done- Out of the number of men faid to be draughted in Vir
ginia: laft fall, and others from North-Carolina, very few
ibave joined the army ; but, owing to defertion and other
caufes, they have dwindled to nothing : and this will always
be the cafe with new recruits, efpeeially thofe who are un
willingly drawn forth, if much time is fpent in getting them
to their regiments under the care of proper officers. This
£hews the neceffity (if the feafon and other powerful reafons
did not loudly call for it) of haftening them to the army.
My folicitude for the prefervation of the communication
of the North-river gives me very uneafy fenfations on account
of our pofts there, an%d will excufe my again a&ing if the '
troops
6
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 153
troops to the northward, except fuch as are neceflary for the
defence of Fort-Schuyler, can be fo advantageoufly employ
ed as at the works on that river. — A refpeclable force at thofe
pofts would awe New-York, and divide general Howe's
force or expofe the city. — To depend too much upon mili
tia, is, in my opinion, putting every thing to hazard.
If I fhould appear uncommonly anxious refpe&ing the fe-
veral matters contained in this letter, by repeating them, —
Congrefs will do me the j-uftice, I hope, to believe that I am
actuated by no views but fuch as are prompted by circum-
ilances and the advanced feafon. — With the greateft refpec\
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
P. S. Your letter of the twenty-firfl inftant is juit cornel®
hand, containing feveral refolves of Congrefs.
SiR, Valley-Far gey March 24, 1778*
COLONEL Charles Lewis of the fourteenth Virgi
nia regiment will have the honor to deliver you this. He
waits on Congrefs to refign his commiffion. I have interefted
myfelf, but in vain, to retain him in the fervice, and have
only to add my regret at the lofs of fo good an officer.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. "W*
SlRf Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge^ March 29, 1778*
I HAVE .been honored with yours of the twenty-
fifth, inclofmg duplicates of two former refolves of Con
grefs, and a refolve of the twenty-third inftant, accepting
the refignation of colonel Charles Webb.
Since mine of the twenty-fourth, Mr. Boudinot has com-
tnunicated the following intelligence, being part of a letter
to him :— " I have lately received fome intelligence from
New- York, that we may make ourfelves eafy in Jerfey, as
all the force that can be fpared is to be fent to join general
Howe.
254 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Howe. Two thoufand five hundred are actually on boafd
tranfports, and lying at the watering-place."
I have this day received a letter from general Smallwood,
dated yefterday at Wilmington, in which he fays — " The
enemy, about four days ago, had a fleet of near fifty fail
(landing up the river, which I fancy was front New-
York ; and yefterday their foraging fleet went up without
touching upon this fide the Delaware^ except three or four
fmall parties about Port-Penn, who have been conftantly
drove off by a party of about a hundred of our men, who
have been guarding and aiding the removal of the forage,
which is at length happily effected."
A Philadelphia paper of the twenty-feventh alfo men
tions, that a fleet of upwards of forty fail had left the Hook
on funday, and that they were faid to be in the river.
From all the above circumftances, I have no doubt but
the troops have arrived from New-York. — I have heard no
thing further from Rhode-Ifland fince I wrote to you laft.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
SIR, Head-Quarters^ Valley-Forge, April I,
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you upon the
twenty-ninth ultimo, 1 have not been able to learn with any
precifion whether the tranfports that arrived brought any
confiderable number of troops. — A Hefiian defcrter fays
there were only a few German convalefcents on board. If
fo, the fleet with two thoufand five hundred, mentioned in
my laft, is not arrived, fuppofmg they were bound to Phila
delphia.
General St. Clair arrived yefterday from Bofton : and, as
he feems very anxious to have his matter determined one
way or the other, I beg leave to recall the attention of Con-
grefs to my letter of the twenty-feventh of February upon
that fubjcct. Having received no information fince that
time
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
time which ferves to direft my judgment as to the charges
which it will be proper to exhibit againft general St. Clair,
I have only again to requeft that Congrefs or the committee
will be pleafed to point out the particular charges upon
which the court fhall proceed.
I could wifh this matter might not be delayed, on feveral
accounts. General St. Clair is in a very delicate iituation,
and feels it fenfibly. He was kept inactive great part of
lafl campaign, and probably will be the whole of this, ex
cept his trial can be fhortly brought on, — as it will be al-
moft impoflible to find time to hold a court after the fcene
of a£Vion opens. — If he ihould be acquitted, he would ren
der very effential fervice, efpecially at this time when we
have fo few general officers : if condemned, his place may
be immediately filled. — It will befides take him fome little
time to prepare for his defence after he knows the particular
charges alleged againft him.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head- Quarters, Valley-Forge^ April 3, 1778.
CAPTAIN Lee of the light dragoons, and the of
ficers under his command, having uniformly diftinguifhed
themfelves by a conduct of exemplary zeal, prudence, and
bravery, I took occafion, on a late fignal inflance of it, to
exprefs the high fenfe I entertained of their merit, and to
affiire him that it (hould not fail of being properly noticed,
I was induced to give this affurance from a conviclion that
it is the wim of Congrefs to give every encouragemenr tt»
merit, and that they would cheerfully embrace fo favorable
an opportunity of manifefling this difpofition.
I had it in contemplation at the time, in cafe no other
method more eligible could be adopted, to make him an of
fer of a place in my family. I have confulted the committee
of Congrefs upon the fubjecl, and we wt-re mutually of opi
nion that the giving captain Lee the command of two iroops
8 of
256 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
of horfe on the propofed eflablifhment, with the rank of
major, to act as an independent partifan corps, would be a
mode of rewarding him, very advantageous to the iervice.
Captain Lee's genius particularly adapts him to a command
of this nature ; and it will be the moft agreeable to him, of
any ftation in which he could be placed.
I beg leave to recommend this meafure to Congrefs, and
(hall be obliged by their decifion as fpeedily as may be conve
nient. The campaign is fa ft approaching, and there will
probably be very little time to raife and prepare the corps
for it. — It is a part of the plan to give Mr. Lindfay the com
mand of the fecond troop, and to make Mr. Peyton cap
tain-lieutenant of the firft.
I am, with the highefl efteem and refpecl, &c« G. W.
SIR, Head-quarters^ Valley-Forge, April 4, 1778.
. I HAVE now the honor to acknowledge your feveral
letters of the twenty-firft, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth ultimo,
with their inclofures, which have been duly received. — It
gives me pain to obferve they appear to contain feveral im
plications by which my fenfibility is not a little wounded. — »
I find myfelf extremely embarrafled by the fteps I had taken
towards an exchange of prifoners and the formation of a ge
neral cartel making more ample provifion for their future
accommodation and relief. The views of Congrefs feem to
be very different from what I fuppofed them when I entered
into my late engagements with general Howe : their refo-
lution of the thirtieth ultimo, pointedly requiring a flri£t
adherence to all former ones upon the fubjecl, will in all
probability render them impracticable. — I confidered fome
of their -refolutlons as dictated on the principle of retalia
tion, ami did not imagine the terms they contained would be
infilled upon in negotiating an agreement calculated to re
medy the evils which occafkmed them. In moil refpe&s
they might be lubftantially complied with: but there arc
fome
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 257
fome points to which an exact conformity muft of necefiity
deftrcy the idea of a cartel. One is the obliging the enemy
to pay gold and filver on equal terms for continental cur
rency, eftimating the articles fupplied them at their actual
prices with us, as feems to be the defign of the refolve of the
nineteenth December. — Another is the fubjecling the inhabit
ants of thefe' dates, taken in arms againft them, to trial and
punifhment, agreeable to the. refolve of the thirtieth of the
fame month.
I am well aware that appearances ought to be upheld,
and that we fhould avoid as much as poflible recognifing
by any public act the depreciation of our currency: but
I conceive this end would be anfwered as far as might be
neceflary, by ftipulating that all money payments mould
be made in gold and filver, being the common medium
of commerce among nations, at the rate of four {hillings
and fix pence for a Spanifh milled dollar, &c, — by fixing
the price of rations on an equitable fcale relatively to our
refpective circumftances, — and providing for the payment
of what we may owe, by fending in provifion, and fell
ing it at their market. The rates of money, and the
prices of provifions and other commodities, differ every
where : and, in treaties of a fimilar nature between any two
dates, it is requifite, for mutual convenience, to afcertain
fome common ratio both for the value of money m payment;?,
and for the rates of thofe articles on which they may arife.
It was determined on mature confederation not to con
clude any thing exprefsly that fhould contradict the refolu-
tion of the thirtieth December : but at the fame time, if it is
defigned to be the rule of practice, it is eafy to perceive it
would at once overturn any cartel that could be formed.
General Howe would never confent to obferve it on his part,
if fuch a practice were to exiit on ours. — Though the law
ought not to be contravened by an exprefs article admitting
the exchangeability of fuch perfons, yet, if it is not fuffered
VOL. II. S to
2-s3 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to fleep, it is in vain to expect the operation of it will be
aequiefced in by the enemy.
The meafures I have taken mud evince that it is my de
termination to pay the fulled attention to the iutereds of
citizens, and to the rights of general Lee, in the treaty:
a-nd I think it but juflice to the gentlemen appointed to ne
gotiate it, to declare that I know them to be fo fully impreffed
with the importance of boch thofc objects,, as to make them
cheerfully obfervant of the injunctions of Congrefs, fo far as
ndt to conclude any agtecmeat of which the exchange of
general Lee and the alternative refpecting cicizens are not
ederttial parts.— -Thcfe points had been early determined on.
It is with no fuiall concern that I have been obliged to
trouble Ccngreis upon the fubjects of this letter : and, mould
they appear to them in the fame light they do to me, and
they mould think. proper to remove the obftacles which now
oppDfe the bufiiicis in hand, I mud requed they will be
pleafcd to communicate their determination as expeditioufly
as pofiible, that the ccmmiiTioncrs may govern themfelves
accordingly, and either proceed to forming a cartel, or put
an end to the negotiation. — Before the refolves of the
thirtieth came to hand, they had met, and been in treaty two
days, with a profpect of a favorable accommodation.
I am happy to inform Congrefs that general Lee will be
out on parole to-morroxv in place of general Prefect : and
I have every reafon to expect, if the negotiation can be con
tinued upon adrnimble terms, that his exchange will imme
diately follow the releafement of colonel Campbell and the
Hefficm field-officers. It is agreed that lieutenant-colonel
Allen (hall be exchanged for lieutenant-colonel Campbell.
The importunate applications of colonel Lee and major
Swazey to leave the fervice oblige me to lay the matter be
fore Congrefs. Colonel Lee's letter upon the fubject was
tranfmitted me the twenty-fifth of January : but, hoping he
might change his mind, I deferred writing to Congrefs upon
his
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 259
his requeft. He has renewed it again in urgent terms, through
general Heath ; and I have only to obferve that it is a pain
ful circumflance to fee officers of their merit leaving the
o
fervice. — It is the cafe every day. — I fhall be obliged by
Congrefs informing me of the dates of the resignations of
the colonels in the Virginia line : — I have only received the
date of colonel Lewis's.
Inclofed is a letter from captain Cotteneau of the (hip Fer
dinand, with an invoice of her cargo. The letter only'
came to hand yefterday ; and, as it is of an old date, it is
highly probable that the goods are fold. If they are not, —
from the captain's defire to give the public a preference in
the fale, Congrefs will have an opportunity of directing
them to be purchafed. Mod of them would be proper for
the army. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. \V.
To the Committee for the Affairs of the Army.
GENTLEMEN, Head- Quarters, April 9, 1778*
BY a refolve of Congrefs, the appointment of officers,
to the corps which brigadier-general count Pulaflu is au-
thorifed to raife, has been referred to your decilion in con
junction with me. — As I know the fuperior confidence which
a commandant places in officers of his own choice, I have
given him my approbation of the gentlemen whom he has
nominated : — it remains with you to decide in their favor,
or have others fubftituted.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. \V.
SIR, Valley- Forge^ April IO, 1778.
I HAVE had the honor of receiving your favor of
the fourth inftant, inclofing a refolve of Congrefs, of tbs
fTiine date, empowering me to call forth five thpufand rrrilitia
from the dates of Maryland, Pennfylvania, and Nevv-Jerfey.
I thank Congrefs for the power : at the fame tim« it is in-
S 2
260 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
cumbent on me to affaire them, that, — granting the practi
cability of collecting fuch a number, — it would prove a
work of time, difficulty, and expenfe ; to evince which, I
need only recur to the experience of laft campaign on fimi-
lar occafions, and to remind you that it was not poflible to
obtain a thoufand men, nor fometimes even one hundred,
from this (late, although the former number was required and
promifed, for the purpofe of covering during the winter the
country between Schuylkill and Delaware.
As this refolve appears to have been made in confequence
of my letters of the twenty-fourth and twenty -ninth ultimo,
which were founded on conjecture, and, in fome degree,
mifinformation, — and as the execution of it would, exclufive
of the inconveniences abovementioned, I am perfuaded,
have a tendency to injure the completion of the continental
regiments, — I ihall call for a fmall part only of the number
allowed; but could wifh that Hartley's regiment were ordered
immediately to camp, and the duties of it performed by mili
tia. In like manner I would propofe that all remote guards
fhould be compofed of militia, and that the feveral purpofes
for which men are drawn from the continental troops fhould
be anfwered by them. This would be a means of draw
ing together a confiderable number of men who are in a
manner loll to the army, and of employing the militia to
the beft advantage poffible.
The great end of my letter to Congrefs, of the twenty-
fourth ultimo, feems to have been miftaken. My views were
not turned to reinforcements of militia. 'To know whether
the old eftabliihment of the army, or the new as agreed upon
by the committee, is the choice of" Congrefs>— and in what
manner the regiments of this ftate and the additional are
to be reduced, — officers for the whole appointed, &c, — were
my objects. Thefe are objc£h of the greatefl moment, as
they may, in their confequences, invclve the fate of Ame
rica ; for I will undertake to fay that it is next to impoflible,
when the feafon is to far advanced, properly to accomplifh
9 thofe
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 261
thofe changes, appointments, and the dependent arrange
ments for the enfuing campaign. Should any convulfion hap
pen, or movement take place, they will be altogether imprac
ticable.— Juftice to my own character, as well as duty to the
public, conllrain me to repeat thefe things : — their confe-
quences are more eafily conceived than defcribed,
It may be faid by foine, fir, that my wiih to fee the offi
cers of this army upon a more refpedtable eftablifhment is
the caufe of my folicitude, and carries me too far. — To fuch
I can declare that my anxiety proceeds from the caufes above-
mentioned. If my opinion is afked with refpecl to the ne-
ceflity of making this provifion for the officers, I am ready
to declare that I do moil religioufly believe the falvation of
the caufe depends upon it, — and, without it, your officers
will moulder to nothing, or be compofed of low and illi
terate men, void of capacity for this or any other bufmefs.
To prove this, I can with truth aver, that fcarce a day
pafles without the offer of two or three commiffions ; and
my advices from the eailward and fouthward are that num
bers who had gone home on furlough mean not to return,
but are eftablifhing themfelves in more lucrative employ
ments. — Let congrefs determine what will be the confe-
quence of this fpirit.
Perfonally, as an officer, I have no intereft in their de-
cifion, becaufe I have declared, and I now repeat it, that I
never will receive the fmalleft benefit from the half-pay eila-
biimment : but, as a man who fights under the weight of a
profcription, and as a citizen who wimes to fee the liberty of
.his country eJlablifhed upon a permanent foundation, and
whofe property depends upon the fuccefsof our arms, I am
deeply interested. But, — all this apart, and juflice out of
the quefticn, — upon the fmgle ground of economy and pub
lic faving, I will maintain the utility of it : for I have not
the leail doubt, that, until cificers confider their commiiiions
in an honorable and intereited point of view, and are afraid
8 to
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
to endanger them by negligence and inattention, no order,
regularity, or care either of the men or public property, will
prevail. * * *
By officers who are juft' returned from Maffachufetts-Bay,
I learn that there is not the lead profpect of getting men
from thence before the month of June, — if then, and in
deed that there is no reafon to expert any number that vy ill
deferve the name of reinforcement for the continental rer
giments this campaign, — the towns being only called upon
to furnifh the deficiency of their laft year's quota, fo that
nil fubfequent cafualties are disregarded, and the fifteen
regiments of that flare, which may now perhaps want four
thoufand men to complete them, will receive only five hun
dred if the towns came within that number of their comple
ment lafl year. — What change the requifition of Congrefs,
of the [twenty- fixih] of February, may effect, I fhajl not
undertake to fay : — if it has not a fpeedy and powerful ope-r
ration, our profpe&s in that quarter will be exceedingly un-
promifmg.
A gentleman from New-Hampfhire fome little time fince
informed me that matters were nearly in the fame train
there, notwithstanding a refolve for the completion of their
batallions; and the inclofed copy of a letter (N°i) from
general Putnam, whom 1 have defired to remain in Con-
ne£Hcut for fome time in order to forward the recruits from
that ilate, conveys his ideas of what may be expected from
thence. — "What New-York, New-Jerfey, and North-Carolina
have done or are about to do, I know not. — Pennfylvania
and Maryland have tried the effect of voluntary enliilments
to little purpofe ; and the firfl, in direct contradiction to the
jnoft pointed injunctions laid on the officers, have their re
cruits compofed chiefly of deferters who will embrace the
firR opportunity of efcaping with our arms. — Virginia, it is
true, has proceeded to a draught : but the number, befides
being in itfelf inadequate, has been leiTeiied by defertion ,
and
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 263
and the deficiency of the regiments, on the other hand, being
increafed by death .and defertion$ their flrength wiU. probably
fall very far fhort of the new eflablifliment.
This, fir, is not a flattering picture of our affairs : but
the reprefentation is juft; and it is incumbent on me to ex
hibit it in my own defence, as, notwithftanding all thefe im*
favorable circumftances, — and what is to me a certain pro-
fpect of being plunged into the campaign before the arrange
ments are made, officers appointed, &c,— great matters, I
perceive, are expected from our activity this fpring : — in
proportion therefore will the disappointment be felt by thofe
who are fanguine.— For want of the ratification of Con-
grefs, the horfe eftablifhment, companies of fappers, pro-
voft-marfhalfey, Sec, &c, (as agreed to by the committee,
and recommended for their confideration) are entirely at a
{land, at a time when we ought to be deriving benefits from
their execution.— -In a word, at no period fince the com
mencement of the war have I felt more painful fenfations on
account of delay, than at the prefent : and, urged by them,
I have exprefled myfelf without referve.
By a letter juil received from general "Weedon, I am in
formed of his intention to refign, if general Woodford
fliould be reitored to his former rank, which he had not
then heard. General Muhlenberg is now balancing on the
fame point. One, therefore, if not two brigadiers, will be
wanted for that ilate. — The difadvantage.s refulting from
the frequent resignations in the Virginia line, the changes
of commanding officers to the regiments, and other c;iufss
equally diftrefling, have injured that corps beyond concep-r
tion, and have been the means of reducing very refpec"h:hb
regiments in ibme inftances to a mere handful of men ; and
this will ever be tlie cafe till officers can be fixed by fonve-
thing equivalent to the facrifice they make. — To reafon
otherwife, and fuppofe that public virtue alone will enable
men to forego the eafe and comforts of life, to cncoun'.oi-
the hardihips and dangers of war fora bare fubfiftenco, when
S 4 their
264 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
their companions and friends are amaiTing large fortunes, —
is viewing human nature rather as it fliould be, than as it
really is.
The clothier-general of the army, as well as the heads of
every other department, mould be in camp near the com-
mander- in-chief : otherwife it is impoflible that the opera
tions of war can be conducted with energy and precifion. I
wifh moil fincerely that this, — as not the lealt eflential part
of the bufmefs fettled with the committee, — were decided,
and a thorough inveftigation were had into the conduct of this
department ; as it is a matter of univerfal aftonifhment that
we fliould be deficient in any article of clothing, when it is
commonly afierted that the eaitern flates alone can furniih
materials enough to clothe a hundred thoufand men. — If
this be fa£t, there is a fatal error fomewhere, to which may
be attributed the death and defertion of thoufands.
I mall make no apology for the freedom of this letter. — •
To inform Congrefs of fuch fa£ls as materially affect the
fervice, I conceive to be one great and eilential part of my
duty to them and myfelf. My agreement with the com
mittee entitled me to expect upwards of forty thoufand con
tinental troops, exclufive of artillery and horfe, for the fer^
vice of the eniuing campaign, including thofeto be employed
in the defence of the North-river. — Inflead of thcfe, what
are my profpe£ls ?
Major-general the marquis De la Fayette is arrived at
camp, and will refume the command of his divifion. — The
baron De Kalb is expefted in a few days. — The inclofure,
N° 2, is the copy of a letter from colonel Shrieve of the
fecond Jerfey batallion, containing an account of the deftruc-
tion of the fait and falt-vvorks at Squan, — andN° 3, of a letter
from general M< Dougai, (hewing the date cf affairs in that
department.— With very great reipett, I have the honor to
be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Your favor of the eighth inflant, inclofing the
a£t of Congrefs appointing captain Lee major and com
mandant
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 265
mandant of an independent corps, is this moment come to
hand.
SlR, Valley-Forge, April 18, 1778.
ON thurfday evening I had the honor to receive your
two letters of the fourteenth inflant. — I am much obliged
by the frefh afTurances which Congrefs are pleafed to make
me of their confidence ; and they may be fatisfied that I
wim nothing more ardently than that a good and perfect
agreement mould fubfift between us.
The negotiation between the commifTioners is ended with
out effecting a cartel : nor do I fuppofe, from the informa
tion I have received on the fubjec"t, that there is any good
profpecl: that one will ever be formed, or at lead for a great
while, on a liberal and extenfive plan. — A report of the
proceedings of the commiflioners on our part, at their feveral
meetings, I take the liberty to inclofe. The papers, N5 i-,
contain the letters between general Howe and myfelf, ftipu-
lating the neutrality of Germantown, — our refpe&ive
powers, — and the refult of the meeting there-,— N° 2, the
fubfequent proceedings at Newtown. — The old agreement,
I prefume, continues ; and under it we mud carry on ex
changes.
General Muhlenberg has communicated his determination
to refign, but has promifed not to leave his brigade till Con
grefs (hall appoint another general in his room, provided it
is done in any reafonable time.
By pollponing my call upon the militia, as mentioned in
my laft of the tenth, 1 did not mean to decline it altogether.
I did not fee the necelF.ty of calling out five thoufand for
the fole purpofe of defence : and, in the prefent fituation of
things, I cannot perceive my way fufliciently clear for offen-
five meafures, as I do not know when to expecl the recruits
from th-j different ftates, nor what profpecl; the commiiTary
has of provifion :— as we only get it yet from hand to mouth,
afitrabling
266 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
affembllng the militia, unlefs for the purpofe of defence,
fliCuld be the laft thing done, as they fooh become impa
tient, and are very expcafive in the' articles of ilores, camp
tifenfils, provifions, &c.
The inclofed draught of a bill was brought to head
quarters yefterday afternoon by a gentleman who informed
me that a large cargo of them had been jufb fent out of
Philadelphia. Whether this infidious proceeding is genuine
and imported in the packet which arrived a few days ago, or
contrived in Philadelphia, is a point undetermined and im
material ; but it is certainly founded in principles of the mod
* * *, — meant to poifon the minds of the people, and
detach the wavering at lead from our caufe. I fuppofe it
will obtain a place in the papers, and am not without .anxiety
that it will have a malignant influence. — I would fubmit it
whether it will not be highly expedient for Congrefs to in-
vefirgate it in all its parts, and to expofe in the moil ftriking
manner the injuftice, delufion, and fraud, it contains. — I
truit it will be attacked, in every fhape, in every part of the
continent,-^- 1 have the honor to be, &c, G. W.
S I R, Valley-Forge, dprit 2O, 1778.
WITH your letter of the feventeenth inftant, and
its inclofures, I was duly honored on faturday afternoon. —
When I adtlreiTed you on the eighteenth, I was doubtful
•whether the draught of the bill then tranfmitted was not fpu-
rioas and contrived in Philadelphia : but its authenticity, 1
am almoft certain, is not to be qiiedioned. The informa
tion from Philadelphia feems clear and conclusive that it
came over in the packet, with lord North's fpeech on the
introduction of it into parliament. I.inclofe a paper con
taining his fpeech, which juft came to hand. — This bill, I
am pen-funded, will pafs into a law. — Congrefs will perceive
by the mirdfter's fpeech, that it aims at objects of the
greateft extent and importance, and will) no doubt, in one
way
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 267
way or other, involve the moll interefKng conferences to
this country. — With great refpedt, I have the honor to be,
fir, your moll obedient fervant, G. W.
SlR, Valley-Forge^ April 23, 1778.
I TAKE the liberty to tranfmit you a letter which I
received yeftcrday from governor Tryon, inclofing the
draughts of the two bills I forwarded before, with his certi
ficate of the manner in which they came to his hands, ac
companied by his more extraordinary and impertinent re-.
queft, that, through my means, the contents (liould be com
municated to the officers and men of this army. This
engine of miniilry, from governor Livingfton'i account, is
very induftrioufly circulating copies of thefe draughts, in
obedience to their and his royal matter's mandates. — The
letter which I inclofe, and a triplicate, came to hand at one
time : fome future conveyance, it is probable, will prefent
me the duplicate.
I would alfo take the liberty to inciofe you the Evening
Pofl, N° 475, which governor Livingfton was fo obliging
as to fend me yefterday. Were we not fully fatisfied from
our experience, that there are no artifices, no meafures
too * * "'•• for the enemy or their adherents to attempt
in order to promote their views, we might be aftonifh-
ed at the daring confidence, in defiance of the opinion of
the world, manifefted in a publication in this paper, pur
porting to be a refolution of Congrefs, of the twentieth of
February. This proceeding is infamous to the lafl degree,
and calculated to produce the mod baneful confequenees by
exciting an oppofition in the people to our draughting fyftem,
and embarrading at lead the only probable mode now left
us for railing men. I think it of great importance that the
forgery ihould be announced in the mod public manner,
and am the more induced to this opinion from governor Liv-
iag*r.ori's account of the dtfagreeablc operation it has ha*!,
8 and
268 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
and is ftill likely to produce, if not contradicted. Jf it is, and
v*hh a few ftriclures, 1 mould hope that it will excite in the
breafts of all our countrymen, a juft and generous contempt
of the enemy for fuch a dirty, wicked proceeding.
I was laft night honored with your favor of the eighteenth
inftant, with the proceedings alluded to. — A general plan of
operations for the campaign is indiipenfably eflentiai to be
fettled. I have thought much upon the fubje6l ; and fome'
proportions refpecling it were put into the hands of all the
general officers here on tuefday evening, for their confider-
ition. I alfo intended to fend a mefTenger this day to meet
general Gates, fuppofing him to be on his, way to Hudfon's-
river, and to requcft his call at this camp,, that we might en
ter into a full and free difcumon of the point. —There is not
v4 moment to be delayed in forming fome general fyftem, in
my opinion ; and I only wait the arrival ot generals Gates,
and Mifflin, to fummon a council for the purpuie.
I have the honor to be, &c. * G. W.
It is confidently reported, — and I have little doubt of the.
truth of it, — that fir William Howe is recalled, and that ge
neral Clinton is to iucceed him in the command.— I have
alfo the pleafure to tranimit a lift of fuiidry oilicers exchan
ged on the twenty-nrft inftant.
SlR, Valley-Forge, April 25, 1778.
I BEG leave to inform Congrefs that the report of
the commiilioners corning, according to intelligence received
vefterday by a perion of Philadelphia, is confidently believed ;
and it is there thought that they will very foon arrive. I
think it almoft certain that the matter will not be delayed, as
the conduit of rninrilry, in not fending them immediately af
ter their termer propoiitions, lias been much reprobated, and
as it may be ot nmcii importance to improve the hrfl impref-
iions of the people upon the occaiion. — Lord Amherft, ad
miral Keppel, aud general Murray, are mid to be the perfons
appointed ;
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 269
appointed ; and it is likely they arc vefted with both civil
and military powers. — The information was through the
channel of a fenfible intelligent man, well known, and of
efteemcd credit. He is connected with the Britifh army,
having two or three brothers in it. — I ihall tranfmit the ear-
Heft accounts I may receive from time to time on tb is -very
interesting fubje6t.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G. V
Falky-Forge^ April 27, 1778.
I HAD the honor yefterday afternoon to receive your
letter of the twenty-fourth, continued to the twenty-fifth,
with its important inclofures. — Congrefs will be pleafed to ac
cept my fincere thanks for the frelli inttance of confidence
rnanifefted in their refolutiou of the twenty-third, and otbrr
proceedings ; and they may reli allured that whatever powers
are entrufted to me ihall be invariably directed to promote
the intereft of theie itates. If in any cafe there fhould be a
mifapplication or a failure in the execution, it will be the ef
fect of miihtke and not of defign.
I fliall take meaiures for distributing the report of the
committee on lord North's bills, and the refolution of the
tvventy-thiid inviting delinquents to return to their allegiance
and to the protection of tlicie ftates. This proceeding ap
pears to me founded in great good policy ; and I mould hope
that it will be attended with many valuable conferences :—
but this can only be proved by the event.
Though I with moft heartily for the aid of general Lee
in council and upon every other occafion, — yet, as the time of
his return is uncertain, or atleaft it will be feveral days before
it takes place, — and as it icems to me that there is not a mo
ment to lofe in forming ion? r".neral fyllem for our opera
tions,— I iliould think it inexpedient for general Gates to de
lay conitng to camp till his arrival. After a pbn is digelled,
tLw'-~ will be a great Jwl of time expended before things will
be
270 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
be in a proper train for execution. The feafon is fad ad
vancing ; and the period which may be moil favorable for
any deiigns we may form will prefently arrive.
I take the liberty to tranfmit an extradl of a letter from
general Heath, which will fhew Congrefs that he is preffed
on all fides for money. Governor Livingfton too is appre-
hcniive he will be under embarraiTments on account of the
purchafe of Iiorfes in confequence of the recommendation of
the committee. Their letter to him by fome means has been
miflaid in the affembly, and he does not know exactly the
mode prefcribed for the payment. I cannot inform him my-
Jelf, or do what perhaps is more neceffary, — furnifli him
\vith money ;, and therefore hope that Congrefs or the com
mittee will.
I have written major-general Tryon a few lines in arifwer
to his letter, a copy of which is inclofed.
I have the honor to be, &c. • G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, April 30, 1778.
THE extenfive ill confequences, arifing from a want
of uniformity in difcipline and manoeuvres throughout the
army, have long occafioned me to wifli for the eftablimment
of a well-organifed infpedorihip; and the concurrence of Con
grefs in the fame views has induced me to fet on foot a tempo
rary inftitution, which, from the fuccefs that has hitherto at
tended it, gives me the moil flattering expectations, and will,
I hope, obtain their approbation.
Baron De Steuben's length of fen ice in the firft military
fchool in Europe, and his former rank, pointed him out as a
perfon peculiarly qualified to be at the head of this department.
This appeared the leaft exceptionable way of introducing
him into the army, and one that would give him the moil
ready opportunity of difplaying his talents. I therefore pro-
pofcd to him to undertake the office of infpcclor- general,
which he agreed to with the greatetl cheerfulnefs, and has
performed
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 271
performed the duties of it with a zeal and intelligence equal
to our wifhes. He has two ranks of infpe&ors under him:
the ioweft are officers charged with the infpe&Jon of brigades,
with the title of brigade-infpectors : the others fuperinteiid
feveral of dicfe : they have written inftruclions relative to
their feveral functions ; and the manoeuvres. which they are
to praclife are iiluftrated by a company which the baron has
taken the pains to train himfclf.
The brigade-inipectors were choferi by the brigadier and
commanding officers of- regiments in each brigade. The
infpe&ors are lieutenant-colonels Barber of Jerfey, Brooks
of MafTachufetts, Davis of Virginia, and monfieur Ter-
nant, a French gentleman : — the reafon for employing him
(apart his intrinfic merit ancl abilities) was his pofTeffing the
French and Englifh languages equally, which made him a
neceflary affiftant to the baron De Steuben. He is content
to ferve without rank, until, after an experiment of his abili
ties, Congrefs {hall determine what he is entitled to.
Upon the arrival of lieutenant-colonel Fleury in camp, as
he was un-employed, and had exercifed the office of aide-ma
jor in France, the baron propofed to have him emploved as
an infpeclor; in which I readily acquiefced, as 'Congrefs had
given him the rank and pay of lieutenant-colonel. — There
may be other foreign officers in continental pay, idle for
want of being attached to forne corps, of whole fervices we
might avail ourfelves in this way, which is the only method
of difpoiing of them, unlefs the,y could be formed into a dif-
tincT: corps.
From the extraordinary fatigue and clofe attention requir
ed of the officers employed in the inipeclorfliip, I did not
think it amifs to let them entertain hopes that Congrefs would
allow forne addition to the pay which they derive from their
rank ; and I take the liberty of recommending the meafure.
I would propofe twenty dollars per month for the brigade-
infpectors, and thirty for the infpedors, lu addition to thqr
pay in the line.
I Ihould
272 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I iliould do injuftice if I were to be longer filent with re
gard to the merits of the baron De Steuben. His knowledge
of his profeflion, added to the zeal which he has difcovered
fince he began upon the functions of his office, lead me to
confider him as an acquifition to the fervice, and to recom
mend him to the attention of Congrefs. His expectations
with regard to rank expend to that of major-general. His
finances, he ingenuoufly confefTes, will not admit of his ferv-
ing without the incident emoluments ; and Congrefs, I p re-
fume, from his character and their own knowledge of him,
will without difficulty gratify him in thefe particulars.
The baron is fenfible that our fituation requires a few
variations in the dutie&of his office from the general practice
in Europe, and particularly that they muft necelTarily be
more comprehenfive ; in which, as well as in his inftruc-
tions, he has fkilfully yielded to circumftances. — The fuc-
cefs which has hitherto attended the plan enables me to re-
queft with confidence the ratification of Congrefs, and is, I
think, a pledge of the eftablilliment of a well-combined ge
neral fyftem, which infurmou ratable obftacles have hitherto
oppofed. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Valley-Forge, May r, 1778.
I HAVE had the honor to receive your dii patches of
the twenty-feventh inftant. — In compliance with the requeft
gf Congrefs, I ihall immediately call upon the officers in the
army to take the oath of allegiance and abjuration. This I
ihould have done as foon as the resolution pafled, had it not
been for the ftute of the army at that time, and that there
were fome ftrong reafons which made it expedient to defer
the matter.
My opinion upon the fubjecfc of a future provifion for the
officers hath been fo fully, and, I trull, fo neccflarily and
equitably urged, that I fhall not add further refpe&ing it, ex
cept my fincere wiihes that the eilabiiihment was determin
ed
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 273
cd on. , Nothing, in my idea, can be more juft ; and I am
certain there is nothing more effential :— the prefent unfettled
ftate of the army is hurtful in the extreme.
Since my letter of the twenty-feventh, I have received au
thentic information of the failing of a very large number of
tranfports from Philadelphia, -^two hundred, it is faid. They
went down the Delaware the beginning of the week, light and
empty. — I have not been able to learn any thing of their def-
tination ; nor can I form a conjecture upon the occafion,
that is the lead fatisfactory.
With infinite pleafure I fceg leave to congratulate Con-
grefs on the very important and interefting advices brought
by the frigate La Senfible. — General M'Dougal and Mr.
Deane were fo obliging as to tranfmit me the outlines of the
good tidings. — As foon as Congrefs may think it expedient,
I (hall be happy to have an opportunity of announcing to
the army, with the ufual ceremony, fuch parts of the intel
ligence as may be proper, and fan&ioned by authority. . I
have mentioned the matter to fuch officers as I have feen ;
-and I believe no event was ever received with a more heart
felt joy.— I have the honor to be, &;c. G. W.
P. S. Juft as I had finillied my letter above, I received the
honor of your favor of the twenty-eighth, with the refolu-
tfon and packets alluded to. I will take meafures for difperf-
ing the printed refolutions. •
SIR, Campy May i, 177$.
IN compliance with your requeft contained in your let
ter of the thirtieth ultimo, I have delivered the bundle of pa.
pers refpecling the lofs of Ticonderoga, &c, tranfmitted me
fome time ago, which I hope will get fafe to hand.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
VOL. II.
$74 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
StR, Wad-Quarters , Valley-Forge, May 3, 1778".
IN a late letter from general Schuyler, I received the'
proceedings of a board of commiflioners for Indian affairs,
held at Albany the fifteenth of laft month. It appears by them'
arid fome other accounts I have feen, that there is but little
profpect of fucceeding in the plan for engaging a body of In
dians from that quarter to ferve with this army. The advan
tage which the enemy pofTefs over us, in having the means
of making prefents much more liberally than we can, has
made a ftrong impreflion upon .their minds, and feems to be
more than a counterbalance for any arguments we can offer
to conciliate their attachment. They alfo appear to oe ap-
prehenfive for their own fafety, and rather to wifh for aii
and protection from us, than willing to leave their habita
tions and come to our affi fiance.
The meafure propofed was by way of experiment, as one
which might poflibly be attended with valuable confequences,
and, if it could have 'been effected without much difficulty,
might have been worth a trial. But, as the fcheme does not
well correfpond with their prefent difpofition, and may fervc.
to increafe our embarraffinents in keeping fhem even in toler
able good humor, I am inclined to think it would be moft ad-
vifable to relinquifh the attempt. They may be told of what
has happened in Europe, with proper embellifhrnents, and
that our affairs are now upon fuch a footing as to render
their aid in the field unnecefTary, and that all we require of
them is their friendfhip and good wifhes. This and pro-
mifes of protection may have a powerful and happy effect.
It is of great importance to counteract the temptation held
out by the enemy, and to fecure the good will of the Indians,
who appear to.be at leaft in a ft ate of hefitancy and indeci-
fion, if nothing worfe. Congrefs, I am perfaaded, will do-
every thing in their power to promote thefe defirable ends.
With great refpect and efteem, I have the honor to be,
iir, your mofl obedient fervantr G. W,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 275
SlR, He ad-Quarters, Valley-Forge, May 4, 1778.
LAST night at eleven o'clock I was honored with
your difpatches of the third.— The contents afford me the
mofl feniible pleafure. Mr. Simeon Deane had informed me
by a line from Bethlehem, that he was the hearer of the ar
ticles of alliance, &c, between France and the ftates. — I
ihall defer celebrating this happy event in a fuitable manner
until I have liberty from Congrefs to announce it publicly.
I will only fay that the army are anxious to manifeft their
joy upon the occafiori.
Inclofed you have a letter which I received a few days ago
from lord Stirling, and which, at his requeft, I lay before
Congrefs, with its contents.
I am, with the greateft efleem and refpecl:, &c. G. W;
SlR, Valley- Forge, May 1 1 , 1 7 7 8 *
I TAKE the liberty to tranfmit to Congrefs a copy
of a letter from general Howe, which I received at three
o'clock this afternoon. The contents are exceedingly inter-
efting to the unhappy prifoners in his hands. I thought it
my duty to forward them immediately ; and I muft requeft
that Congrefs will be pleafed to inform me as foon as pof-
fible, what line of conduct I am to purfue upon this: occafion;
—The inclofed extracl: of a letter from general Smallvvood
will fhew the painful alternative to which the prifoners in
Philadelphia will be reduced unlefs they are relieved : and
this is confirmed by intelligence through feveral other chan
nels to myfelf. — I fhaH wait directions in the matter, and go
vern myfelf by them in my anfwer to general Howe.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S< As to an equivalent in men for officers, that propof-
cd by his cemmiflioners was too high. A much more mo
derate one was nearly agreed to between them and the gen
tlemen deputed by me, when they were in treaty .^ — This
T 2 mode
276 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
mode of relief, at this mftant, may not be fo neceflary t<r
adopt. There "are probably officers in general Burgoyne's
army who are defnxms of being exchanged : and, if not, an
equivalent may be fixed on, as circumftances may point
out.
. SlR, Valley-Forgei May 12, ,1778,
I HAD the honor to receive in due time your
feyeral favors of the third, fixth, and ninth inftant, with the
papers to which they refpectively alluded. — After .much
coniideration -upon the fuhjec~t, 1 have appointed .general
M'lntofh to command at Fort-Pitt. and in the weftern coun
try, for which he will fet out as foon as he can accommo
date his affairs., I part with this gentleman with much 4"e-
lu&ance, as I efteem him an officer of great worth and me
rit, and as I know his {ervices here are and will be material
ly wanted. His firm difpofition and equal juftioe, his eiiidu-
ty and good iU3.derftapdiiig,— added to his being a ftranger
to all parties in that quarter,— pointed him out, as a proper
perfon \ and I truft, extenilve advantages will t>e derived
from his command, which I could wifh was more agreeable,
r— He will wait on Gongrefs for their inflrucliGns.
A^ lieutenant-colonel Sutherland, major Agnew, and lieu
tenant Foe, 'have only requefred to go to Europe on parole, it
does not appear to me that I can with propriety apply to ge
neral Howe forthelr exchasge :— this would imply.rhat they
were prifoners of war. Though their exchange, is ceriainly
the moil defirai?ie mode of releafe as it would relieve an equal
number of our oncers froni captivity, yet I mould be happy if
a negotiation for the purpofe (hould commence on tJieir parta
Kiiowing that it would be ouj interefl to exchange all the
officers of general Burgoyne's army if it could be doce, I
wrote general Heath nat long fmce, to take occasion to men
tion to them diat we /hould always be willing io accede to
equal prppQiidpii^ for that.piirpofe, and would carefully
6 convey
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 277
convey their applications to fir William Howe or the general
who might command the Britifh army.-— I take the liberty
to return their letters, prefuming that Congrefs may incline'
to give them fame aufwer, either dire&ly, or through gene
ral Heath.
In refpe6fc to lieutenant-colonel ***,-! do not find that
that there is any necc&ty for granting the prayer of his pe
tition : we have already too many officers ; arid I do not ap
prehend the intereft of the ftates would he much promoted
in his appointment. If he could make up two or three com
panies, they would be of prifoners and deferters, who would
moft afTuredly embrace an early opportunity to go off with
their arms and clothing. I am difpofed to coniider him as a
man of fome addrefs and policy, as he is aiming at a confir
mation in the line of the army (by obtaining an appoint
ment to a new corps) of the rank which he had as a divifioiv
quarter-m after. Befides the impolicy of augmenting the
number of our officers where it is not really efTentia^ fuch
a promotion would give difTatisfa&ion ; and I fuppofe there
are few officers, if any, who formerly commanded Mr. * * *.
in the line of the army, that would iubmit to his orders.
The inclofed copy of a letter from general Dickinfon to
me will inform Congrefs of the fate of the continental frigates
in Delaware, — a fate (in the fituation they were left) I had
long predicted, and which I had taken much pains to avert,
by uiing every argument in my power to have them funk.
In that cafe, their deftrudtion would have been at leail a
work of time, difficulty and expenfe, and might have been
perhaps prevented. — About one o'clock on thurlday I got
notice of an intended move of the enemy by water ; and,
conjecturing the deftination of it, had a detachment under
general Maxwell (whofe tour of duty it was) ready to march
towards the Delaware by four o'clock : but a heavy raia
prevented their moving till next morning.
I have been happy in the exchange, and a vifit from lieu
tenant-colonel Allen. His fortitude and firmnefs feem tb
T 3 have
278 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
have placed him out of the reach of misfortune. There is
an original fomething in him that commands admiration ;
and his long captivity and fufferings have only ferved to in-
creafe if poffible his enthufiaftic zeal. — He appears very de-
firous of rendering his fervices to the ftates, and of being
employed, and at the fame time does not difcover any am
bition for high rank. — Congrefs will herewith receive a
letter from him ; and I doubt not they will make fuch pro-
vifion for him as they may think proper and fuitable.
I take pleafure in tranfmitting a Philadelphia paper of the
ninth, which came to hand yefterday evening, containing a
mefiage from hismoft chriftian majefty to the court of London
in confequence of the treaty between him and thefe ftates,—'
and his Britannic majefly's addrefs to the lords and commons,
&rc. — The meffage is conceived in terms of irony and deri-
fion, more degrading to the pride and dignity of Britain than
any thing fhe has ever experienced fmce fhe has been a na
tion. It is not an aclual declaration of war, but it certainly
inuft produce one. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. A great number of blank oaths will be wanted.
You will be pleafed to order fome by every opportunity.
SIR, Valley-Forge, May 1 8, 1778.
I HAVE been honored with your two favors of the
eleventh and fifteenth inftant, with the feveral papers alluded
to, — the former by monfieur Jemat, the latter by exprefs
yefterday. — Colonel Johnfon fet out on faturday afternoon to
wait on Congrefs upon the fubjecl: of his appointment, and, I
prefume, will be at York to-day.
I fhall announce the refolution of the fifteenth to the army,
and would flatter myfelf it will quiet in a great meafure the
uneafineffes which have been fo extremely diftreflirig, and pre
vent refignations, which had proceeded, and were likely to
he at fuch a height, as to deftroy our whole military fyftem.
It has experienced no inconfiderahle ihock, particularly in
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
the line of fome ftates, from the lofs of feveral very valuable
•officers.
The letter and brevet for colonel Allen I will tranfmit by
the firft opportunity. — He left camp eight days ago.
From a variety of concurring circumftances, and the uni
form report of perfons who have left Philadelphia within
four days paft, it would appear that the enemy mean to eva
cuate the city. It is faid they have already embarked a part
of their heavy cannon and baggage, — that tranfports are fitted
and fitting for their horfe, and taking in hay. The accounts
further add that there has been a prefs for fome nights in the
city, and feveral men obtained in this way, and carried aboard
fhip ; alfo that there has been an increafed number of vendues.
Thefe circumftances all indicate an evacuation : but I have
not been able to learn the objects of their future operations.
—I wrote to general Gates yefterday upon the fubject, that
he may be prepared in the beft manner the fituation of things
will admit, ;n cafe they fhould be deftined for the North-
river,— and defired him to retain for the prefent all the eaftern
recruits intended for this army.
The quarter-r-mafter-gerieral and commirTary of provifions
are directed to ufe every poffible exertion for putting the af
fairs of their departments in a train to facilitate a movement
in cafe it fhould be neceffary. But fuch have been the de
rangements and diforders in them, that we muft be greatly
embarrafTed for a confiderable time yet,
A valuable detachment, under the command of the mar
quis Fayette, marched this morning, which is intended to
move between the Delaware and Schuylkill, for retraining
the enemy's parties, procuring intelligence, and to act as cir
cumftances may require.
I cannot help feeling for the prifoners in pofleflion of the
enemy. — If they evacuate Philadelphia, thofe unhappy men
will be dragged away with them, and perhaps to a more
miferable confinement. But, fuppofing that their future treat-
pent /hould not be worfe, or even that it fhould be more
T 4 comfortable
a8o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
comfortable than their paft, — the idea of being removed far
ther from their friends, and farther from relief, muft diftrefs
them to the laft degree.
I have the honor to be, &:c. G. W,
P. S. I would take the liberty to mention that I think the
arms and clothing expected from France mould be brought
forward without a moment's delay after they arrive. The
impolicy of fuffering them ever to remain in places acceflible
to fhipping, out of the queftion,— our diftrefs for both is
amazingly great: we have many men now without firelocks,
and many coming in, in the fame predicament ; and half
the army are without fhirts. Our condition, for want of the
latter, and blankets, is quite painful, — of the former, very
diftrefling. The doctors attribute in a great degree the lofs
of hundreds of lives to the fcarcity of clothing ; and I am
certain hundreds have deferted from the fame caufe.
SlR, Head- Quarters, Valley-Fo rge> May 21, 1778.
GENERAL M'Intofh will have the honor to deliver
you this. He is now on his way to take the command at
Pittfburg and in the weftern frontiers, and waits onCongrefs
for their inftruclions. — I would take the liberty of fubmitting
to Congrefs the inclofed account of expenfes incurred by the
general in his journey from Georgia to join this army, and
which he prefented to me and to the auditors for payment.
I did not know how far I might be authorifed to comply
with his requeft, and therefore lay the matter before Con
grefs. At the fame time 1 would obferve that nothing ap
pears to me more equitable than that claims of this fort,
where they are nojL immoderate, fhould be fafisned by the
public. — If this were not the cafe? the expenfes of an officer,
when ordered from one poft to another, efpecially where they
are diftant, would fink the whole or a very large part of his
pay. — The charges attending the general's journey from
hence -to Pittfburg will require equal attention; and the
whole,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 281
whole, I am perfuadecl, will meet with a juft and fuitable
provifion. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Valley-Forge ', May 28, 1778.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on the
twenty-fourth inftant, nothing material has happened. The
enemy are ftill in Philadelphia : but the intelligence from
thence is fo clear and fo ftrong, that it is certain, or near
ly as much fo as any event can be that is contingent, that
they mean to abandon it. Againft the various meafures they
are purfuing, which point to an evacuation, there is but one
ilngle circumftance oppofed that I can learn, which is, that
they are working at their redoubts with great induftry. But
this fail, though certainly true, cannot be of fufficient weight
to raife a doubt upon the fubjedt, and muft be conildered as
merely calculated to deceive us, and to mafk their dellgn.
We cannot find out, notwithstanding the moft diligent
pains, whether their movement will be by land or fea ; nor
are the inhabitants of the town fatisfied on the point. — Ap
pearances favor either. — They have a great many ihips, and
very large : yet, from a preparation of boats at Prince's-bay
on the fouth fide of Staten-Ifland which I am juft advifed of,
and for fome other reaibns, a land route is not improbable,
I have detached to Jerfey the whole of the troops of that
ftate under general Maxwell, which, I flatter myfelf, with
the militia general Dickinfon will be able to collect, will
give them fome annoyance in cafe they attempt a retreat by
land. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
Valley -Forge, May 28, 1 7 7 8 -
LlfeUTENANT-colonel John Gibfon, of the fixth
Virginia regiment, who, from his knowledge of the vvefcern
country, and Indian nations and language, is ordered to re
pair to Pittiburg, will have the honor of delivering you this.
He
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
He is entitled, and has been ever fmce the twenty-fifth of
/O&ober laft, to a regiment in that line ; and I muft take the
liberty to requeft that Congrefs will give him a commiffion
of that date. The refolution of the thirty-firft of December,
** recommending the ftates to fufpend filling up regimental
vacancies," — my expectations that fome officers of inferior
rank, and perhaps of the fame, belonging to other ilates,
might be reduced upon a new arrangement, — and the cer
tainty, thajt, if I gave commiffions in one inftance, I ihould
be obliged to do it in all, — have prevented me appointing him
to the vacancy he had a right to.-rl do not know particular
ly to what regiment he ought to be appointed : Congrefs
therefore will be pleafcd to give him a commiffion for a re
giment from the flate of Virginia, without mentioning th&
pumbcr. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
P. S. Many copies of paths are flill wented.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Valley-Forge, May 31, 1778.
I HAD the honor to receive your favor of the twen
ty-fifth inftant by doctor Scudder, and that of the twenty-
ninth, yefterday afternoon, with the inclofures and packet to
which they referred.
I (hall inform major Lee of the new arrangement of his
corps, and will appoint the officers required. — Major Beatty is
riot in camp. The letter addreffed to him fhall be fent by
the firfl opportunity to Princeton, where I prefume he will
be found. That for captain Smith is already difpatched to
him.
The enemy are yet in Philadelphia, though the whole
chain of information for feveral days paft afforded grounds
to believe that they would have evacuated it before now. — I
fhould fuppofe they are nearly prepared to do it, though the
removal of the flores and baggage of fo large an army-re-*
quires confulerable time.
June i. — I ihould be glad to know, in cafe Philadelphia
is
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
is evacuated, whether any and what line of condu£l is to be
$)urfued refpecling the goods that may be left. — Such articles
as come under the denomination of public ftores will of courfc
be taken by the proper officers for the life of the ftates. — The
point on which I wi(h direction is with refpecl to goods and
merphandife, private property. I do not know whether
any confiderable quantity may be left : but it has been fug*
gelled, that, from an expectation of the fort, there are fome
bringing into light their gold and filver for the purpofe of
buying up. Jf there fhould be clothing fuitable for 'the army,
perhaps there might be nothing unjuft in the public's taking
the preference, and Congrefs appointing one or two intelli
gent a6live perfons of addrefs, acquainted with the city and
with thofc who have the goods, with proper powers to pur-
chafe them.
Whatever meafure may be thought expedient^ it will be
neceffary to adopt it as early as poflible, as the evacuation
will probably take place in a ihort time. Robert Morris*
efquire, I fhould imagine, if the purchafmg fcheme is deter
mined on, will be able to point out proper perfons. Some
gentlemen have mentioned mefficurs Samuel Howell and
Thomas Franklyn as well qualified both on account of their
integrity and attachment to our caufe, and from their know
ledge of the city and refidence in it ever fince the enemy had
the pojQTefTion. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I was juft now honored with your letter of the thir
ty-fail ultimo.
SlR, Valley-Forge ', June 2, 1778.
I BEG leave to inform you, that, agreeably to the re-
folutions tranfmitted in your favor of the thirty -firft ultimo,
I fhall undertake the reform of the North-Carolina batallions
in camp as foon as circumftances will admit.
I iincerely wifh the legiflatures of the feveral dates had
pafled laws adopting the generous policy recommended by
Congrefs
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Congrefs in their refolution of the twenty-third of April. 1
am affured by authority not to be queftioned, that, for want*
of this, hundreds, nay thoufands of people, and among them
many valuable artifans with large quantities of goods, will be
forced from Philadelphia, who otherwife would willingly re
main. From report, their relu&ance and diftrefs upon this oc-
cafion are fcarcely to be paralleled. — There are a few whofe
conduct has been fuch, that no affurances of fecurity, I pre-
fume, could induce them to ft ay : and their departure, com
pelled and founded as it were in the approbation of their own
confciences, would anfwer all the purpofes of example, efpe*
cially if followed by a confifcation of property.— A profcrib-
ing fyftem, or laws having the fame effect, when carried to
a great extent, ever appeared to me to be impolitic: and
their operation fhould always ceafe with the caufes which
produced them. Examples in terrorem are neceiTary : but
to exile many of its inhabitants cannot be the intereft of any
{late.— I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Valley-Forge, June 4, 1778.
I TAKE the liberty to tranfmit you by exprefs the
mclofed packet which juft arrived at our advanced poft by a
£ag from fir Henry Clinton. I alfo tranfmit a copy of a let
ter I received from him, of the thirtieth ultimo, and of my an
fwer ; likewife copies of his and lord Howe's letters which
eame to hand by the prefent flag. — The packet, I prefumc,
contains Acts fimilar to thofe fent to me.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, He ad- Quarters, June 7, 1778.
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the
fourth and fifth inftant, and with the refolutions and papers to
which they refer. — I have taken meafures to communicate
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 285
the new efhblidiment of ihe army through the line; and the
fooner the arrangements can be made, the better. Should
there appear further regulations neceffary, I fhall take the
liberty to offer my fentiments refpe&ing them.
My principal defign, in addreffing you fo foon after the
receipt of your letters, is to advife Congrefs of the arrival of
the commiflioners. Lord Carlifle, governor Johnfton, and
William Eden, efquire, are come over in this character, and
got to Philadelphia yefterday. Lord Cornwallis is alfo ar
rived.
I have been juft favored with the inclofed Britifh paper,
which I tranfmit for your perufal.-— Some parts of it are very
interefting.
By fome accident the copies of the refolutions of the tenth
of January, referred to in that of the fourth inftant, have
been miflaid or loft. This circumftance lays me under the
ceceflity of troubling you with a requeft for others.
J have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I am told a refolution pafled about the nineteenth ul
timo, refpe&ing the payment of prifoners either in the actual
pofTeffion of the enemy, or on parole. I do not recollect to
have been honored with it ; and, if there is fuch a one, I
wifh to be favored with a copy for the government of mj
SIR, Head-Quarters, F"al ley-Forge, June 9, 1778.
I WAS favored with yours of the fixth inftant, inclof-
ing copies of your asfwers to lord Howe and general Clin
ton. The originals I fent in early this morning by a flag.
— I have the honor to tranfmit you a duplicate of a letter I
received from fir Henry Clinton for the purpofe of procuring
a paffport for doctor Fergufon (the fecretary to the king's com-
naiffion) to Congrefs, with my anfwer to him, — on the fubjecl
of which, Congrefs will be pleafed to favor me. with their
iuftruclions — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SlR, Head-Quarters, June IO, 1)78*
MAJOR Campbell of the thirteenth Virginia regiment
tvill have the hoiior of prefenting you with this* He is now
on his way. at the earned felicitation of general M'lntofh,
to ferve in the weftern department, and waits on Congrefs, to
obtain (if they fhall think proper) a commiffion for a lieu
tenant-colonelcy in the Virginia line, to which he has been
entitled in the ordinary courfe fince the twentieth of February
laft. — The major fuftains the character of a good and brave
officer, and has behaved as fuch during his fervice. — He is
the more defirous of getting a commiffion at this time, as
otherwife he may he commanded by the lieutenant-colonels
to be, or who are, appointed to the two new regiments lately
ordered to be raited in that quarter. I do not know the par
ticular regiment to which he lliould be affixed : therefore, if
he obtains a commiffion, it may be left blank in this inftance."
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, June 15, 1778.'
I HAVE been duly honored with your favors of the
eleventh and fourteenth inftant, and with the inclofures to
which they refer. — The refolution for fettling the value of
rations which have become due fince the firft of January, and
fixing the mode of payment, I fhall announce in this day's
Orders, and hope it will be highly fatisfactory to all who are
interefted in it.
I have notified general Mifflin of the inquiry directed by
Congrefs on the eleventh inftant, by tranfmitting him a copy
of their proceedings ; and lie has obtained leave, on his folici-
tation, to repair to York, &c, to prepare for his defence.
This I thought myielf under a ncceffity of granting, how-^
ever inconvenient and injurious it may be to permit the ab-
fence of officers at this period.
Our expectations that Philadelphia will be evacuated in
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS.
the courfe of a few days are again up. The information re
ceived yeflerday through various channels, and in a pretty di
rect way, would feem to place the matter almoil on the foot
ing of certainty.
We had about forty privates arnd twenty feamen exchan
ged on funday. Another party will be exchanged to day ;
and, according to agreement, the whole of our unfortunate
men will be releafed as fail as we can bring down parties of
the prifoners in our hands, to give for them. — It is thought
by fome we fhall not have an opportunity of completing the
exchange of all thofe in Philadelphia before the enemy kave
it. — Mr. Boudinot has alib fettled and adjuited the whole
number of prifoners we are to account for (befides thofe
now in actual confinement) at nine hundred, which is lefs
than half of the claim fir William Howe fo pertinacioufiy
and fo long adhered to.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. Wr
Read-Quarters, half -after eleven, A. M. June 1 8, 1778'.
SIR,
I HAVE the pleafure to inform Congrefs that I was
this minute advifed by Mr. Roberts that the enemy evacuated
the city early this morning. He was down at the middle
ferry on this fide, where he received the intelligence from a
number of citizens who were on the oppoiite fhore. They
told him that about three thoufand of the troops had embark
ed on board tranfports. The deftruclion of the bridge pre*
Yented him eroding. — I expedl every moment official ac
counts on the fubjedt.
I have put fix brigades in motion ; and the reft of the army
are preparing to follow with all pombie difpatcb. We fhall
proceed towards Jerfey,, and govern ourfeives according to cir-
cumftauces. — As yet I am not fully afcertained of the enemy's
dedication ; nor are there wanting a variety of opinions as
jto the route they will purfue, whether it will be by Land or fea,
j admitting
a88 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
admitting it to be to New-York. Some think it probable, in
fuch cafe, that the part of their army which crofTed the De
laware will march down the Jerfey fliore fome diftance, and
then embark. — There is other intelligence corroborating Mr.
Roberts's, but none official is yet come.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
A letter from captain M'Clean, dated in Philadelphia, this
minute came to hand, confirming the evacuation.
SIR, Head-Quarters, June 1 8, 1778,^ o'clock, P. M.
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you this fore
noon, I received your letter of the feventeenth, with its feveral
inclofures. — I am happy in the approbation of Congrefs re-
fpeding my conduct to do6lor Fergufon. I could not find,
after the matured confideration on the fubjecT:, that his paf-
fage through the country could be in any wife material, or
anfwer any other purpofe than to fpread difafFecltion.
I fhall take every meafure in my power to prevent an in-
tercourfe between the army and the enemy, and alfo between
the inhabitants and the 'latter. You may reft affiired that
whatever letters come from their lines {hall be, as they ever
bave been, minutely infpecled ; and whenever they import
any thing of an iniidious caft, they fhall be fupprefled. In
this I truft I lhall not offend againft any rule of right, nor
the ftrifteft propriety.
The letter for the commifTioners I fhall tranfmit by the
earlieft opportunity: however their departure from Philadel
phia will prevent their getting it as foon as they otherwife
would have done. — I cannot fay that I regret the delay :
for there is no knowing to what acts of depredation and
ruin their difappointed ambition might have led. And per
mit me to add that I think there was no other criterion
ior Congrefs to go by, thaiix the one they have adopted.
The proceedings of the twenty-fecond of April, it is proba
ble, have reached Britain by this time, and will {hew that
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS. a 89
the prcfent powers of the comroifiioners, — or at leaf! thofe we
are obliged to fuppofe them to poffeis, — are wholly incompe
tent to any valuable end.
I have appointed general Arnold to command in Philadel
phia, as the (late of his wound will not permit his fervices in
a more active line. Colonel Jackfon, with a detachment of
troops, is to attend him : and I flatter myfclf that Older will
be preferved, and the feveral purpoics anfwercd, exprefled
by Congrefs in their refolution of the fourth infrant. — The
general fet out this evening, and I myfelf fhall move with the
main body of the army at live in the morning to-morrow.
I have the honor to be, &rc. G. W.
P. S. By this conveyance you will be pleafed to receive
the proceedings of the court of inquiry rcfpe6Hng the loffes
of the forts in the Highlands.
SIR, Htad^Quaritrs, June 18, 1778.
THE baron Steuben will have the honor to deliver
you this. I do not know particularly the extent of his bufi-
nefs ar York : but, from what he has communicated, it is
in part to get the duties and powers of his appointment mi
nutely defined and fettled. I inclofe a copy of orders on the
fifteenth inftant, which were iflued to quiet the minds of the
general officers, and to remove a fpirit of jealoufy which but
too apparently was riling among them. Thefe contain my
ideas of the principal duties of the infpector's office, and, I
have reafon to chink, are generally agreeable to the army.—
While I am on this fubjecl:, I mull do juftice to the baron's
intelligence, zeal, and indefatigable induftry, from which we
have experienced very happy efforts.
The incloled letter I tranfmit at the requeft of captain
Gibbs ; and I wifh to recommend him to the confideratiou
of Congrcfs.-*— He has been in the army from the commence
ment of the war, and in the capacities which he mentions.—
When Congrefs were pleafed to honor me with the appoint-
VOL. II. U ment
*9o GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ment of officers for tl>e fixteen additional batallions, I offered
to make fome provi-fion for him : but this he declined, pre
ferring to remain in my family. The guard he commanded
originally confifted of fifty men : but, fmce the arrival of ba
ron Steuben, it has been augmented to a hundred and fifty. He
advifed that there fhould be a felecl corps of this number to
receive the manoeuvres in the firft inftance, and to act as a
model to the army ; and propofed that it fhould be formed of
the old guard company and draughts from theline. — Iprefume,
—if it diouldbe Congrefs'spleafure, — that a majority would be
highly agreeable to the captain, and is as much as he expects.
I have the honor to be, &x. G. W.
SlR, 'June 2O, ifjfyjottir'efc&ei:, P.M.
I HAVE the honor to inform you that lam now ad
vanced with the main body of the army within ten miles of
CoryePs ferry, and {hall halt to refrefa the troops, and for
the night, as the weather is very rainy. — General Lee, with
the fix brigades mentioned in my former letter, will reach
the ferry this evening.
My 1 aft accounts from Jerfey were from general Dickin-
£on, dated yefterday at three o'clock, P. M. Thefe fay the
enemy had then advanced to Eyreflown, three miles below
Mount-Holly, and were bufily engaged in repairing the
bridge which had been deflroyed. General Dickinfon adds
that there had been a brifk firing for fome minutes between,
the enemy and Maxwell's brigade, or a part of it, in their
advance, — in which the former, according to the report of a
deferter, had feveral killed. He further fays the militia had
been D^^WJ °f their approach, were in good fpirits, and
that he expedted to-day to be tolerably flrong^ — I have this
minute written him by exprefs, refuelling him to acquaint
me with their and his own fituation, — what number of men
he has already collected, —and what fertile.*" augmentations he
expe£ts to receive.
I have the honor to be, £0:, G. W,
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 291
Si R , June 21,—- ten miles from
THIS will be delivered you by major Wemp who
has the care of fome warriors from the Seneca nation. The
inclofed copy of a letter from our commiflioners will (hew
that they are come to obtain the releafe of Aftiarix, another
warrior, who was taken on the frontiers of Virginia* I ne-*
ver heard of the circumftance till I was informed of it a few
days ago by a letter from general Schuylen As the com-
mifuoners have confented to his exchange, and advifed it, I
have allured them it was agreeable to me ; and I muft take
the liberty to requeft that Congrefs will order it to be accom*
pliflied as foon as pofTible.
I have treated them with civility^ but declared at the fame
time, in anfwer to their fpeeches both in council and as war
riors,— if they do not immediately ceafe hoflilities, and be
come our friends, or at leaft neutral, — that* the moment we
are clear of the British army, 1 will turn our whole force
againft them and the other nations at war with us* and cut
them off to a man. — They faw the main body of our army
to-day ; which circumftance, added to the evacuation of Phil
adelphia, and the prefents I wrote general Arnold to make
them, with other inftances of kindnefs, I trufl, will have a
happy influence on the actions and difpofitions of their nation
when they return.
They are alfo attended by a fevv of our Oneida and Tuf-
carora friends, who were thought neceflary to proceed with
the truce. They had difpatches from their fachems for the
immediate return of fuch of their men and warriors as were
here, on account of their apprehenfions of hoflilities by the
Senecas, &c. — I confented to the meafure, and directed that
they fliould be furnifhed with ample and fuitable prefents, if
they could be obtained previous to their departure* — The ar
my is in march ; which will not permit, me to add further than
that I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
U
292 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Head-Quarters, near Cory el's, June 2 2, 1 778.
I HAVE the honor to inform you that I am now in
Jerfey, and that the troops are patting the river at Cory el's,
and are moftly .over. — The lateft intelligence I have had re-
fpecb'ng the enemy was yeflerday from general Dickinfon.
He fays they were in the morning at Moreftown and Mount-
Holly ; but that he had not been able to learn what route
they would purfue from thence ; nor was it eafy to determine,
as, from their fituation, they might either proceed to South-
Amboy, or by way. of Brunfwic. — We have been a good
deal impeded in our march by rainy weather. — As foon as
we have cleaned the arms, and can get matters in train, we
propofe moving towards Princeton, in order to avail our-
felves of any favorable occafions that may prefent thernfelves,
of attacking or annoying the enemy.
the honor to be, &c- G. W
) fix miles from Monmouth^ June 28, 1778,
SIR* half after eleven, A. M.
I WAS duly honored with your favor of the twentieth
inltaiit, with the report to which it referred, and trufl my
fituation will apologife for my not anfwering it before,
1 am now here with the main body of the army, and
preffing hard to come Up with the enemy. They encamp
ed yeftcrday at Monmouth court-houfe, having almofl the
whole of their front, particularly their left wing, fee u red by
a maffh and thick wood, and their rear by a difficult deiile,
from whence they moved very early this morning. — Our ad
vance, from the rainy weather, and the intenfc heat when it
was fair (though thefe may have been equally difadvantageou*
to them), has been greatly delayed. Several of our men have
falhn fick from thefe caufes ; and a few unfortunately have
-fainted, and died in a little time after.
We have a fele£ and ftrong detachment more forward,
2r under
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 293
under the command of major-general Lee, with orders to at
tack their rear if poffible. Whether the detachment will be
able to come up with it, is a matter of queftion, efpegially
before they get into ftrong grounds. — Befides this, Morgan,
with his corps, and fome bodies of militia, are on their
flanks.
I cannot determine yet at what place they intend to em
bark. Some think they will pufh for Sandy-Hook, vvhilft
others fuppofe they mean to go to Shoal-harbor. The lat
ter opinion feems to be founded in the greater probability, as,
from intelligence, feveral veffels and craft are lying off that
place.
We have made a few prifoners ; and they have loft a good
many men by defertion. I cannot afcertain their number,
as they came in to our advanced parties, and pumed imme
diately into the country. I think five or fix hundred is the
lead number that have come in, in the v/hole. They are
phiefly foreigners. — I have the honor to be, 6cc. G. W.
Fields near Monmouth Court-Hoifi, June 29, 1778.
SIR,
I HAVE the honor to inform you, that, about feven
o'clock yefterclay morning, both armies advanced on each
other. About twelve, they met on the grounds near Mon»
mouth court-houfe, when an aclion commenced. We for
ced the enemy from the held, and encamped on the ground.
They took a ftrong poft in our front, fecured on both flanks
by moraffes and thick woods, where they remained till about
twelve at night, and then retreated.—-! cannot at this time go
into a detail of matters ; when opportunity will permit, \
iliall take the liberty of tranfmitting Congrefs a rnore parti<-
cular account of the proceedings of the day.
I have the honor to be, &cc. G, W,
294 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Englijlitewn, July I , . 1 7 7 8.
I EMBRACE this firft moment of leifure to give
Cetfigrefs a more full and particular account of the move*
nients of the army under my command iince its paffing the
Delaware, than the fituation of our affairs would heretofore
permit.
I had the honor to advife them, that, on the appearances
of the enemy's intention to march through Jerfey becoming
ietiouS) I had detached general Maxwell's brigade in con
junction with the militia of that ilate to interrupt and impede
their prdgrefs by every obftru&ionJn their power, fo as to
give time to the army under my cornmand to come up with
them, and take advantage of any favorable circumftances
that might "prefent themfelves. The army having proceed
ed to CoryePs ferry and crofted the Delaware at that place,
I immediately detached colonel Morgan with a felect corps
of fix hundred men to reinforce general Maxwell, and niarch *
cd with the main body towards Princeton.
The {low advance of the enemy had greatly the air of de-
fign, and led me, with others, to fufpe6l that general Clin^
ton, defirous of a general action, was endeavoring to draw
us down into the lower country, in order, by a rapid move
ment, to gain our right, and take poffeinon of the flrong
grounds above us. This confideration, and to give the
troops time to repofe and refreih themfelves from the fatigues
they had experienced from rainy and exceffive hot weather,
determined me to halt at Hopewell townlhip about five miles
from Princeton, where we remained till the morning of the
twenty-fifth.
On the preceding day I made a fecond detachment of
fifteen hundred chofen troops under brigadier-genera] Scott,
to reinforce thofe already in the vicinity of the enemy, the
more effectually to annoy and delay their march. The next
day the army moved to Kingfton ; and, having received in*
that the enemy were profecuting their route to
wards
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 29$
wards Monmouth court-houfe, 1 difpatched a thoufand felc£t
men under brigadier-general Wayne, and fent the marquis
De la Fayctte to take th-e command of the whole advanced
corps, including Maxwell's brigade and Morgan's light in
fantry, with orders to take the ftrft fair opportunity of at
tacking the enemy's rear.
In the evening of the fame day, the whole army marched
from Kingfton, where our baggage was left, with intention
to preferve a proper diitance for fupporting the advanced
corps, and arrived at Cranberry early the next morning.
The intenfe heat of the weather, and a heavy frorm un
luckily coming on, made it impoffible to refume our march
that day without great inconvenience and injury to the
troops. O u rN advanced corps, being differently circum ft an-
ced, moved from the pofition it had held the night before,
and took pofl in the evening on the Monmouth road about
five miles from the enemy's rear, in expectation of attack
ing them next morning on their march. — The main body
having remained at Cranberry, the advanced corps was
found to be too remote, and too far upon the right, to be
fupportcd in cafe of an attack either upon or from the
enemy ; which induced me to fend orders to the marquis
to file off by his 'left towards Englimtovvn, which, he ac
cordingly executed early in the morning of the twenty-fe^
venth.
The enemy* in marching from Allentown, had changed
their difpofition, and placed then: heft troops in the rear, con-
fifting of all the grenadiers, light infantry, and chaffeurs of
the Jine. This alteration made it neceffary to increafe the
number of our advanced corps ; in confequence of which, I
detached -major-general Lee with two brigades to join the
marquis at Engliihtown, on whom of courfe the command
of the whole devolved, amounting to about five thoufand
men.— The main body marched the fame day, and encamped
v.-irhin three miles of that place. Morgan's corps was left
hovering on the enemy's right flank ; aud the Jerfey militia,
U 4 amounting
296 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
amounting at this time to about feven or eight hundred men,
under general Dickinfon, on their left.
The enemy were now encamped in a ftrong pofition, with
their right extending about a mile and a half beyond the
court-houfe in the parting of the roads leading to Shrewfoury
and Middletovvn, and their left along the road from Allen-
town to Monmouth, about three miles on this fide the court-
houfe. Their right flank lay on the fkjrt of a fmall wood,
while their left \vas fccured by a very thick one,— -a inorafs
running towards their rear, and their whole front covered by
Si wood, and, for a coniiderable extent towards the left, with
a moral's, — In this iituation .they halted till the morning of
the twenty-eighth.
Matters being thus fituated, — and having had the beft in-
formation, that, if the enemy were once arrived at the heights
of Middletown, ten or twelve miles from where they were,
it would be impollibleto attempt any thing agajnft them with
a profpecl of fuccefs, — I determined to attack their rear the
moment they mould get in motion from their prefent ground.
I communicated my intention to general Lee, and ordpred
him to make his difpoiition for the attack, and to keep
his troops confhintly lying upon their arms, to be in readi-
nefs at the fliortefc notice. — This was done wi;h refpedt to
the troops under my immediate command.
About five in the morning, general Dickinfon fent an ex-
prefs informing that the front of the enemy had begun their
march. I Liftruitly put the army in motion, and fent orders
bv one of my aides' to general Lee to move on and attack
them imiefs there ihoukl be very powerful reafons to the
contrary, — acquainting him at the fame time, that I was
marching to fupport him, and, for doing it with the greater
expedition and convenience, ihould make the men diiencum-
ber themi elves of their packs and blankets.
After marching about live miles, to my great furpri-fe and
mortification, I met the whole advanced corps retreating, —
and, as I was told, by general Lee's orders, — without Laving
made
OFFICIAL LETTERS/ 297
made any opposition, except one fire, givea by a party un
der the command of colonel Butler, on their being charged
by the enemy's cavalry, who were repulfed.— 1 proceeded
immediately to the rear of the corps, which 1 found clofely
prefTed by the enemy, and gave directions for forming part
of the retreating troops, who, by the brave and fpiritcd con
duct of the officers, aided by fome pieces of well-ferved ar
tillery, checked the enemy's advance, and gave time to make
a diipoiition of the left wing and fecond line of the army up
on an eminence, and in a wood a little in the rear, covered
by a morafs in front. On this were placed fome batteries of
cannon by lord Stirling wrho commanded the left wing, which
played upon the enemy with great effect:, and, feconded by
parties of infantry detached to oppofe them, effectually put a
ftop to their advance.
General Lee being detached with the advanced corps, the
command of the right wing, for the occafion, was given ro
general Greene. For the expedition of the march, and to
counteract any attempt to turn our right, I had ordered him
to rile off by the new church, two miles from Englifhtown,
and fall into the Monmoiuh road, a fmall diilance in the
rear of the court-houfe, while the reft of the column moved
Directly on towards the court-houfe. — On intelligence of
the retreat, he marched up and took a very advantageous po-
fition on the nVht.
O
The enemy, by this time, finding themfelves warmly op-
poied in front, made an attempt to turn our left flank : but
they were bravely repulfed and driven back by detached par
ties of infantry. They alfo made a movement to our rip;ht
\vith as liftlc fucccfs, general Greene having advanced a body
of troops with artillery to a commanding piece of ground ;
which not only difappointed their defign of turning our
right, but feverely enfiladed thofe in front of the left wing.
—In addition to this, general Wayne advanced with a body
of troops, and kept up fo fevcre and well-directed a lire, that
tlic er.erny were foon compelled to retire behind the defile
where
2gS GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
where the firfl ftand in the beginning of life action Iiad been
In this fituation the enemy had froth their flanks fecured
by thick woods and morafles, while their front could only
be approached through a narrow pafs. I refolved neverthe-
Jefs to attack them ; and, for that purpofe, ordered general
Poor, with his own and the Carolina brigade, to move round
upon their light, and general Woodford upon their left,
and the artillery to gall them in front. But the impedi
ments in their way prevented their getting within reach be
fore it was dark. They remained upon the ground they
bad been directed to occupy during the night, v/ith inten
tion to begin the attack early the next morning ; and the
army continued lying upon their arms in the field of action,
to be in readinefs to fupport them.
In the mean time the enemy were employed in removing
their wounded, and about twelve o'clock at night marched
.away in fuch filence> that, though general Poor lay extreme
ly near them, they effe&ed their retreat without his knowr-
iedgc. -They carried off all their wounded, except four of
ficers and about forty privates whofe wounds were too dan
gerous to permit their removal.
The extreme heat of the weather, the fatigue of the men
from their march through a deep fandy country almoft en
tirely deftitute of water, and the diftance the enemy had
gained by marching in the night, made a purfuit impractic
able and fruitlefs: it would have anfwered no valuable pur-
pofe, and would have been fatal to numbers of our men, fe-
veral of whom died the preceding day with heat.
Were I to conclude my account of this day's tranfaclions
without expreffing my obligations to the officers of the army
in general, I mould do injuftice to their merit, and violence
to my own feelings. They fcemed to vie with each other in
manifeftirig their zeal and bravery. The catalogue of thofe
who diftinguimed themfelves is too long to admit of parti-
cularifmg individuals. I cannot* however forbear mention
ing
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 299
ing brigadierrgeneral Wayne, whofe good conducl and bra
very through the whole aclion deferves particular commen
dation.
The behavior of the troops in general, after they recover*
ed from the firil furprife occafioned by the retreat of the ad
vanced corps, was fuch as could not be furpafied. — Ail the
artillery, both officers and men, that were engaged, diftin-
guiihecl themfelves in a remarkable manner.
Inclofed, Congrefs will be pleafed to receive a return of
our killed, wounded, and miffing. Among the fir ft were-
lieutenant-colonel Bunner of Pennfylvania, and major Dick—
infon of Virginia, both officers of dillinguiihed merit,, and
much to be regretted. — The enemy's ilain, left on the iield,
and buried by us, according to the return of the perfons align
ed to that duty, were four officers and two hundred and.
forty-five privates. In the former number was the honorable
colonel Monckton. Exclufive of thefe, they buried fome
themfelves, as there were feveral new graves near the field
of battle. — How many men they may have had wounded^
cannot be determined : but, from the ufual proportion, the
number muft have been confiderabie. — There were a few
prifoners taken.
The peculiar fituation of general Lee at this time requires
that I (houkl fay nothing of his conduct. He is now in ar-
reft. The charges againfh him, with fuch fentence as the
court-martial may decree in his cafe, (hall be tranfmitted for
the approbation ov difapprobation of Congrefs, as foon as it
(hall be paflhl.
Being fully convinced by the gentlemen of this country
that the enemy cannot be hurt ov injured in their embarka-*
tion at Sanely-Hook, the place to which they are going, — anti
unwilling to get too far removed from the North-river, — »
I put the troops in motion early this morning, and fhall pro
ceed that way, leaving the Jerfey brigade, Morgan's corps^
and other light parties (the militia being all difmifled), to,
hover about them, to countenance defcrtion, and to prevent
their
300 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
their depredations as far as poflible.-— After they embark, the
former will take poll in the neighborhood of Elizabeth-
town, the latter rejoin the corps from which they were de
tached. — I have the honor to be, £c. G. W.
SIR, Camp, near Brunfwlc, July 7,
I HAVE the honor to inform you, that, on funday
morning, the left wing of the army moved towards the
North-river ; the right followed yeflerday ; and the fecond
line, which forms the rear divifion, is alfo now in motion.
I (hall advance as fail as I can confiflently with the circum-
ftances of the weather and the health of the troops.
The enemy, from the advices of our parties of obferva-
tion, were nearly if not all embarked yeflerday. They have
continued to defert upon all occafions.
I mould be extremely happy if the committee appointed
to arrange the army would repair to it as foon as poffible.
Congrefs can form no adequate idea of the difcontents pre
vailing on account of the unfettled flate of rank, and the un
certainty in which officers are as to their future fituation.
The variety of hands in which the power of granting of
commillions and filling up vacancies is lodged, — and other
circumilances,— have occafioned frequent inftances of young
er officers commanding their feniors, from the former hav
ing received their comity (lions, and the latter not, — and
thefe, not only in the line of the army at large, but in their
own brigades, and even in their own regiments. — This, it'
will be readily conceived, is neceflarily productive of much
confufion, altercation and complaint, and requires the fpee-
dieft remedy. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. By accounts from Monmouth, more of the enemy's
dead have been found. — It is faid the number buried by ua
and the inhabitants exceeds three hundred.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 301
SIR, Camp, at ParamuS) July 12, 1776.
ON Friday evening, I had the honor to receive your
letter of the feventh inflant, with its inclofures.- — The vote
of approbation and thanks, which Congrefshavc been pleafed
to honor me with, gives me the higheft fatisfadHon, and at
the fame time demands a return of my fmcerefl acknow
ledgments. —The other refolution I communicated with
great pleafure to the army at large in yefterday's orders.
The left wing of the army, which advanced yeflerday four
miles beyond this, moved this morning on the route towards
King's-ferry. The right, and fecond line, which makes the
lail divifion, are now here, where they will halt for a day or
two, — or perhaps longer, if no circumftances of a prefling
nature cad up, — in order to refrefh themfelves from the
great fatigues they have fullered from the intenfe heat of the
weather.
We have had it reported for two or three days through
feveral channels from New- York, that there is a French fleet
on the coaft : and it is added that the enemy have been man
ning with the utmoft difpatch feveral of their {hips of war
which were there, and have puttied them out to fea. — How
far thefe facts are true, I cannot determine: but I (hould think
it of infinite importance to afcertain the firft, if poffible, by
fending out fwift- failing cruiiers. The moft interefting ad
vantages might follow the in formation. — I will try, by every
practicable means that I can devife, to obtain an accurate
account of the enemy's fleet at New-York.
I have the honor to be, £.c. G. Vvr,
SlR, Camp9 Paramus, July 14, 1778.
I HAD the honor yefterday evening of receiving your
Yery important favor of the tenth inftant. — Colonel Laurens,
one of my aides, will fee out this morning with a letter to
the French admiral, the cpua,C D'£il?ing, indofing a copy of
yours.,
302 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
yours, and fuch other information as I have been able to
collect. Its further purpofe is for the eftablifhing a conven*
tion of fignals in cafe of co-operation, or to convey him fuch
knowledge of the enemy's naval force and pofition, as may
from time to time come under our cognifance.
It appears by intelligence of to-day that the count D'Ef-
taing is off* or near Sandy-Hook, having already feized feve-
ral fifliing- boats on the Banks, in order to procure informa
tion and pilots.
The army is in motion, and will crofs the North-river
with all convenient difpatch, where I (hall purfue fuch mea-
fures as may appear bed calculated for improving the pre-
fent conjuncture.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SiR, Camp, near White-Plains, July 22, 1778.
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you on the
fourteenth, I have been favored with your letters of the
eleventh and feventeenth, with their refpe£Hve inclofures.
The next morning after the receipt of the former which
came to hand on the feventeenth, I difpatched lieutenant-co
lonel Hamilton, another of my aides, with the bed pilots
and the mod fkilful mailers of mips I could procure, to ad
miral count D'Eftaing, to converfe with him more fully on
the fubjecl of his operations, than I was able to direct lieu
tenant-colonel Laurens -to do for want of the information
which I afterwards obtained from major Choum, and a
knowledge in feveral other points befides.
On funday night Mr. Laurens returned ; and I found by
'him that it was the count's firft \vifti to enter at Sandy-
Hook, in order to pofiefs himfelf of, or to deflroy, if poflible,
the whole of the Britifh fleet lying in the bay of New- York;
and thn.t, for this purpofe, he had been much engaged in his
inquiries about the depth of water, and in founding the
channel to afcertain it j the refult of which was, that the
8 water,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 303
water, from the experiments made, was too mallow at the en
trance to admit his large (hips, — or, if they could he got in,
it appeared that it would not be without a great deal of diffi
culty and rifle. After this difappointment, the next import
ant object which feemed to prelent itfelf was an "attempt
againft Rhode-Ifland, which the count inclined to make
(unlefs I fliould advife the contrary) as foon as the Chi-
mere frigate, which had carried his excellency monfieur
Girard into the Delaware, fhould rejoin him.
Lieutenant-colonel Hamilton, who was well informed of
our fituation .and of my fentiments on every point, was in-
ftrufted to give the admiral a full and accurate Hate of fa&s,
and to acquaint him what aid, and how far we could co-ope
rate with him in cafe of an attempt either againft New-
York or Rhode-Ifland ; and alfo to obtain his ideas of the plan
and fyftem which he might think ought to be purfued, and
to agree with him on certain fignals.
Previous to my difpatching Mr. Hamilton, from the in
formation I received on my inquiries refpe&ing the naviga
tion at the Hook, I was led to fufpecl (however interefting
and defirable the deftrucHon or capture of the" Britifh fleet
might be) that it was not fufficient to introduce the count's
(hips. Under this apprehenfion, I wrote general Sullivan on the
feventeenth by exprefs, that an expedition might take place
in a ihort time againft Rhode-Ifland, and urged him at the
fame time to apply to the Hates of Maflachufetts, Rhode-
Ifland and Connecticut, for as many men as would augment
his force to five thoufand, and alfo to make every poflible
preparation of boats, provifion, pilots, &c, as if the event was
fixed and certain.
From this time till about twelve o'clock on funday, the
troops continued pafTing the river, when I crofled with the
Jaft divifion. On mortday afternoon I arrived at this, place,
in the neighborhood of which, the right and left wing en
camped that night, with the fecond line a few miles in their
rear. And here I am happy to add that their paiTage acrofs
the
301 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the river was effected without any accident, or without any
more delay than neceiTarily attended the work.
Being perfuaded now from the converfation which I have
had with feveral pilots and mailers of veffels, of character, as
well as from the accounts of other gentlemen, and colonel
Laurens's report on his return, that the paffing of the
count's {hips by the Hook would be extremely precarious, if
not impracticable, — I determined yeiterday (which was as
foon as it could be done), without waiting for further intel
ligence upon the fubject, to put two brigades under march
ing orders. They accordingly marched this morning at two
o'clock, for Rhode-Ifiand, under the particular command of
generals Varnimi and Glover refpectively, and both under the
direction, for the prefent, of the marquis De la Fayette. A
water conveyance was thought of, and wifhed for the cafe "of
the troops : but, on confideration of all circumftances, fuch
as the difficulty of providing veJTels, the change and preca-
rioufnefs of the winds, the rifle from the enemy's (hips, &c,
their route by land was deemed by far the more eligible. —
The force with general Sullivan, from the bed and lateft ad
vice I have been able to obtain, is about three thoufand. —
A detachment under colonel Jaekfon will follow Varnum's
and Glover's brigades.
The inelofed papers, N° I, refpccting eight perfons fent
from Bcnntngtofij and ordered into the enemy's lines, came
to hand yefterdny. About the fame time I received a letter
from governor Clinton, containing a petition' by the pri-
foners, and a letter from the committee of Albany, all re-
monilrating agajnit the proceeding. As this is a matter in
which 1 have no authority to act, nor in which I would
\vifh to intermeddle, I take the liberty of referring it to Gon-
grefs, that they may decide upon h. — The ptifoners are at
Weft-Point, and ordered to be detained there for the pre-
ferit.
I would alfo take the liberty of tranfmitting to Congrefs
a letter from captain Qibbs, and of recommending him to
their
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 305
their confideration. His letter was to have been fent by
the baron Steuben before we marched from Valley-Forge :
but his declining to go to Yorktown at that time, and our
move through the Jerfeys, delayed its being done. The
captain has been in the army from the commencement of
the war, and in the capacities which he mentions. — When
Congrefs were pleafed to honor me with the appointment
of officers for the fixteen additional batallions, I offered to
make fome provifion for him : but this he declined, pre
ferring to remain in my family. The guard he originally
commanded confided of fifty men ; but, fince the arrival of
baron Steuben, it has been augmented to a hundred and fifty.
The baron advifed that there mould be a felecl: corps of this
number to receive the manoeuvres in the firft inftance, and
to acl as a model to the army ; and propofed that it mould
be formed of the old guard company, and draughts from the
line. — I prefume, if it mould be Congrefs's pleafure, a ma
jority would be highly acceptable to the captain, and that it
is as much as he experts.
Eleven .0? clock) P. AT. — I this moment received a letter
from colonel Hamilton who is on his return to the army,
dated the twentieth at Black-Point. He informs that the
count D'Eilaing would fail the next evening for Rhode -
Ifland, being convinced from actual foundings that he could
not enter his (hips. He was anxioufly waiting the arrival
of the Chimere, but, at all events, meant to fail at the time
he mentions. The admiral has agreed on fignals with Mr,
Hamilton. — Immediately after this letter came to hand, my
aide, Mr. Laurens, fet out for Providence, having many
things to communicate to general Sullivan upon the fubjcft
of his co-operation, which neither time nor propriety would
fufFer me to commit to paper. General Sullivan is directed
not to confine the number of his troops to five thoufand,
but to augment it, if he {hall judge it necefTary to infure
his fuccefs.
I was informed by Mr. Laurens, that the count D'Eflaing's
VOL. II. ' X
So6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
magazine of bread is not fo large as we could wifh, and thai
in the courfe of a few weeks he will be in want. This cir-
cumftance I thought it right to mention : and I fhould fup-
pofe that any quantity of bifcuit may be provided in a little
time at Philadelphia.
The inclofures,. N° 2, are copies of three letters from my-
felf to the admiral. — I flatter myfelf the prefent of flock,
which I directed for him, on his firft arrival, in behalf of the
dates, will be approved by Congrefs.
The accounts from the weftern frontiers of Tryon coun
ty are diftrefling. The fpirit of the favages feems to be
roufed, and they appear determined on nufchief and ha
voc in every quarter. — By a letter from governor Clinton,
of the twenty-firit, they have deftroyed Springfield and An
dreas-town, and are marching towards the fettlements on
the weft branch of the Delaware. Thefe incurfions are ex
tremely embarraffing to our other affairs, and I think, will
juftify a conclufion that fir Henry Clinton's intention was
to operate up the North-river. Whether it may have
changed with circumftances, cannot be determined.
I kave detached the fourth Penniyivania regiment and the
remains of Morgan's corps,, under lieutenant-colonel Butler,
and alfo colonel Graham with a York ftate regiment, to co
operate with the militia, and to check the Indians, if poffible.
Colonel Butler is an enterprifing good officer, and well
acquainted with the favage mode of warfare : and I am per
fected whatever comes within the compafs cf his force and
abilities, will be -done.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head- Quarters, White -Plains, July 26, 1778.
THE baron De Steuben will have the honor of deli
vering you this. — I am extremely forry that this gentleman's
iituation and views feem to have determined him to quit the
fervice, in which he has been heretofore and is capable {till
of
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 307
of being extenfively ufeful. Some difcontents, which arofe
among the officers on account of the powers with which the
office was at firil veiled, induced me to arrange the duties of
it upon a plan different from that on which it began. The
moving (late of the army has for fom'e time pail, in a great
degree, fufpended the exercife of the infpectorate. When
the troops marched from Brunfwic, the fcarcity of general
officers,-— moil of them being engaged with the court-mar
tial either as members or witneifes, — occafioned my giving
the baron a temporary command of a divifion during the
march. On our arrival near cur prefent encampment, I in
tended he mould relinquiih this charge^ and refume his for
mer office, for which purpofe a general order was accord
ingly iffiied. But I find that he is entirely difinclined to the
meafure, and refolves not to continue in the fervice unlefs he
can hold an actual command in the line.
Juftice concurring with inclination conflrains me to teftify
that the baron has in every inftance difcharged the feveral
trufts repofed in him with great zeal and ability, fo as to
give him the fulled title to my efteem, as a brave, indefatig
able, judicious, and experienced officer. — I regret there
fhould be a neceflity that his fervices ihould be loft to the
army : at the fame time I think it my duty explicitly to ob-
ferve to Congrefs, that his defire of having an actual and
permanent command in the line cannot be complied with,
without wounding the feelings of a number of officers whofe
rank and merits give them every claim to attention ; and
that the doing it would be productive of much diiTatisfuction
and extenfive ill confequences. This does not proceed
from any perfonal objections on the part of thofe officers
againft the baron : — on the contrary, moil of them, ** horn I
have heard fpeak of him, exprefs a high fenfe cf his military
worth. It proceeds from motives of another nature, which
are too obvious to need particular explanation, cr may be
fummed up in this, that they conceive fuch a fiep would be
injurious to their eiTential rights and juit expectations. —
X 2 That;
3o8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
That this would be their way of thinking upon the fubjec*t,
I am fully convinced, from the effecl: which the temporary
command given him, even under circumftances fo peculiar
as thofe I have mentioned, produced :— the ftrongefl fymp-
toms of difcontent appeared upon the occafion.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-quarters^ White-Plains^ July 28, 1778.
THIS will be prefented to Congrefs by general Put
nam. He arrived from Connecticut the day after I came
into the neighborhood of this camp. — As I have not re
ceived any refolution of Congrefs refpedling the court of in
quiry which they directed, and which was transmitted them,
on the fubjecl: of the pofts in the Highlands taken laft year,
I am at a lofs in what point of view to confider him. — He
wilhes fome decifion in this inftance ; and his journey to
Philadelphia is for that purpofe.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
SIR, Head-Quarter S, JVhlic P lain ^ Aug. 3, 1/78.
I DO myfelf the honor of transmitting to Congrefs a
copy of a letter from general Knox, and of fundry obferva-
tions and remarks on the ordnance eftablifhment of the
eleventh of February, which I received about the time we
marched from Valley-Forge. Thefe would have been tranf-
mitted before, had it not been for the moving ftate of the
army, and a variety of other objects which engrofled rny at
tention. — We have found by experience that fome inconve
niences have refulted from the eftabliihment, which I con
ceive have proceeded principally from the total indepen
dence of the commifTary-general of military ftores on the
commanding officer of artillery. It feems fome alterations
are neccilary : and what they fnall be, Congrefs will be
to determine.
It
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 309
It is not without reluctance that I am conftrained to renew
my importunities on the fubjecl: of the committee of arrange
ment. The prefent unfettled ftate of the army is produc
tive of fo much diflatisfa&ion and confufion, and of fuch a
variety of difputes, that almoft the whole of my time is
now employed in finding temporary and inadequate expedi
ents to quiet the minds of the officers, and keep bufinefs on
a tolerable fort of footing. — Not an hour paffes without new
applications and new complaints about rank : and, for want
of a proper adjuftment of this and many other effential
points, our affairs are in a moft irkfome and injurious train.
We can fcarcely form a court-martial or parade a detach
ment in any inftance, without a warm difcuffion on the fubjecl:
of precedence ; and there are feveral good officers now who
are forced to decline duty, to prevent difputes, and their
being commanded by others who upon every principle are
their inferiors, unlefs their having obtained commiffions be
fore them (from the opportunities they had of making earlier
applications, from local circumftances) fhould be confidered
fufficient to give them a fuperior claim. — There are many
other caufes of diffatisf action on this head : but I will not
enter into a minute relation of them. I fmcerely wifh that the
gentlemen appointed, or fuch others as Congrefs may think
proper to nominate for the occafion, would immediately re
pair to camp : — the prefent opportunity is favorable for re
ducing matters to fyftem and order ; and, from painful ex
perience, I know there is an abfolute necefHty for it.
I mould alfo hope that Congrcfs will excufe me for men
tioning again the neceffity there is for appointing feme bri
gadiers. — The MafTachufetts, by the refignation of general
Learned, wants one : Pennfylvania, as general Hand is not
here, has but one with the army : Maryland, which has two
large brigades in the field, has only general S mail wood ; and
the North-Carolina troops, fmce the departure of general
M'lntofh, have been without any. — As I had taken the li
berty upon a former occafion to offer my fentiments to Con-
X~3 grefs
3io GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
grefs and their committee upon this fubjeft, I fhould not
trouble them now, if I was not more and more convinced
that the fervice required promotions in this line. The fre
quent changes which take place among the officers, where
there are no brigadiers, are attended with great inconveni
ence and detriment; and they are an effectual bar to the in
troduction of difcipline. In fuch cafes, the officers know
that their command is but temporary, always liable to ceafe ;
and therefore they do not find themfelves fufficiently in-
t'^refted to promote order and fubordination ; nor will the
reft look up to them with that refnecl: and deference which
are effential. -Every day's experience proves this, and
fhews beyond queftion that the affairs of a brigade can
never be in a right train without a brigadier or fome general
officer to direcl: them. — It is certain thefe appointments, at
the firft view, will add a little to the lift of expenfe : but
in the end they will be a great faving, and produce many
important advantages. — We are alfo a good deal diftrefied
at this time for major-generals. However, as this arifes
more from the peculiar circumftances and fituation of many
which prevent them from duty in the line, than from a defi
ciency in the number appointed, I {hall not add upon the
occafion.
There is another branch of the army, which, in my opi
nion, calls loudly for the appointment of a general officer,-^
and this is the cavalry. — For want of a proper regulating
head in this corps, the whole has been in confufion, and of
but very little fervice j whereas, under a right management,
it might be moft ufeful. The principal officers in it do not
harmonife ; which circumftance, with their difputes about
rank, would (were there no other objections) effectually pre
vent the corps from rendering the public the fervices they
have a right to expe£r, and of which it mould be capable. To
promote any gentleman now in it to a general command,
\vpuld not be acquiefced in by the reft,— nor do I know that
any
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 311
any of them wifh it; — and it would increafe their mifunder-
flanding, and, of courfe, diforder.
I mean to draw ail the horfe immediately together, when
I truft they will be under the direction of a general officer
appointed by Congrefs for the purpofe. Who lie (hall be,
will remain folely with them to determine. However, 1 will
take the liberty to add that he mould be intelligent, active,
attentive ; and, as far as I can judge, general Cadwallader
or general Reed would fill the poft with great honor and
advantage j though it would feem, from the feat the latter
has taken in Congrefs, and from his late appointment to the
council of Pennfylvania, as if he had declined every military
view. The abilities of thefe gentlemen, as well as their at
tachment, are generally known j and I am led to believe that
.either would be as acceptable to the corps as any perfon that
can be found, Indeeil I have learned as much from twp
of the colonels.
I have been waiting with the moft impatient anxiety to
hear of count D'Eftaing's arrival at Rhode-Ifland ; but a$
yet I have not been fo happy. My lad intelligence from
thence is a letter from general Sullivan, dated at ten o'clock
in the forenoon of the twenty- feventh, when he had no ad
vice of the fleet. — He was in high fpirits ; and, from the
preparation in which matters were, he entertained the moft
flattering hopes of fuccefs in the intended enterprife.— The
brigades of Varnum and Glover^ with Jackfon's detach
ment, would arrive, I expe£l, on the fecond inilant.
As the army was encamped, and there was no great prc-
fpect of a fudden removal, 1 judged it advifable to fend ge
neral Greene to the eaftward on weunefday lait, being fully
perfuaded his fervices, as well in the quarter- mailer line as
in the field, would be of material importance in the expedi
tion againft the enemy in that quarter. He is intimately
acquainted with the whole of that country, and befides
he has an extenfive intereft and influence in it. And, in
juftice to general Greene, I take occafion to obferve that
X 4 the
312 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the public is much indebted to him for his judicious ma
nagement and active exertions in his prefcnt department.
When he entered upon it, he found it in a moft confufed,
diftracted, and deftitute flate. This, by his conduit and
induftry, has undergone a very happy change, and fuch as
enabled us with great facility to make a fudden move with
the whole army and baggage from Valley-Forge in purfuk
of the enemy, and to perform a march to this place. In a
word, he has given the mod general fatis faction, and his af
fairs carry much the face of method and fyflem. — I alfo
confider it as an act of juftice to fpeak of the conduct of
colonel Wadfworth, commiifary'general. He has been in
defatigable in his exertions to provide for the army •, and,
fince his appointment, our fupplies of provifion have been
good and ample.
dugujl 4- — At feven o'clock in the evening yeftcrday, I
received the inclofed letter from general Sullivan, with one
addrefled to myfelf, a copy of which I do myfelf the plea-
fure of forwarding. — I am exceedingly happy in the count's
arrival, and that things wear fo pleafing an afpect.
There is another fubject on which I mud take the liberty
of addreffing Congrefs, which is that of the clothier's de
partment. — I am perfectly fatislied, that, unlels this very
important and interefting office is put under better regula
tions, the army will never be clothed. * * * I believe
both officers and men, particularly the latter, have fuffered
greater inconveniences and diftrefies than foidiers ever did
before, for want of clothing; and that this has not flowed
more from a real fcarcity of articles, than a want of proper
exertions and provident management to procure them.— -
It is efTential that fomething mould be done, and imme
diately, to place the department on a better footing. We
have now a great many men entirely deftitute of fliirts and
breeches, and I fuppofe not lefs than a fourth or fifth of the
whole here who are without iLoes. From the deficiencies
in this line, numbers of defertions have proceeded, — not to
mention
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 313
mention deaths : and, what is ftill worfe, the troops which
remain, and fee themfelves in rags, want that fpirit and pride
neceflary to conftitute the foldier.
I have been informed by feveral officers, and by fuch as I
can depend on, that many of the late draughts are willing
and defirous of enlifting during the war. I do not conceive
myfelf at liberty to give direction on the point, and there
fore fubmit it to Congrefs to decide. However, if they can
be engaged for the ufual bounties allowed by the continent,
after proper precautions are taken to prevent fraud, I think
the meafure will be expedient. — It is true, our affairs have
an agreeable afpecl: at prefent: but the war may continue,
and we — want men. A third of the time of fome of them,
and a half in the cafe of others, is already expired ; and, as
they will rife in their views, and become more difficult in
proportion as their fervice draws to a conclufion, — if the
ftep is confidered advifable, the fooner we attempt to enlift,
the better in all probability will the work fucceed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
5lR, mite-Plains, ' Auwjl 7, 1778.
YESTERDAY afternoon I had the honor to receive
your favor of the thirtieth ultimo. — Major Gibbs is now at
Rhode-Iiland. I (hall embrace the firft fafe opportunity to
tranfmit him your letter and the commifTion with which
Congrefs have been pleafed to honor him.
Since my letter of the third and fourth inftaiit, I have re
ceived no advices from general Sullivan, fo that lean give no
information of our operations againft the enemy in the eaft-
ern quarter. — I am told the militia of MaiTachufetts and
Connecticut were collecting fart, and proceeding to rein
force him.
1 have the pleafure to acquaint Congrefs that major-gene
ral Lincoln arrived here ycilerday, and that he is happily fo
far
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
far recovered from liis wound, as to be able to take his com*
inand in the line.
The inclofed paper from NewrYork came to hand iafl
night. It contains an account of the fire which unfortu-?
nately broke out m the city on funday night, and of the da
mage which was occafioned by it. It alfo contains the
Jatefl advices that I have feen from Britain, and fuch as
appear to be interefling.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Campy Aug. 7, 1778, ten o'clock, P. M*
SINCE I had the honor of addrefling you to-day, I
received letters from the count D'Eftaing, and my aide, lieu
tenant-colonel Laurens. Thefe contain the lateft advices
I have from Rhode-Ifland, — of which I do myfelf the plea-
fure of tranfmitting copies by this conveyance.
J have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Whit e-PlalnSy, Auguft 1 1 , 1778.
I TAKE the liberty of tranfmitting to Congrefs the
inclofed letter which I juft now received from the pa ym af
ter- general. They will perceive by it that the military cheft
is entirely jexhaufted, and that a third of the army re
mains unpaid for the months of April and May. The im
portance and necemty of an immediate and large fupply
•will at once appear ; and I am perfuaded it will be ordered
and forwarded with all poflible expedition.
Since I had the honor of writing by colonel Heth on fun-
«|ay laft, I have not received any advices from Rhcde-Ifland.
I have the honor to be, &c. . G. W.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 31$
SlR, Head-Quarters, White-Plains, An?. 13, 1778.
I HAVE the honor to tranfrait you 2 letter from gc-
jieral §ullivan, which, from the tardinefs of the exprefies, is
i>ut juft come to hand. I fuppofe it gives Cpngrefs the
fame information communicated to me : but, left there
fhould be any particulars mentioned jn his letter to me which
may not be contained in the one to you? I am induced to
accompany the latter with a copy of the former.
The papers lent from Congrefs to head-quarters, and re
turned, refpe£Hng the cafe of major-general St. Clair, wiU
be wanted immediately, as it is probable his trial will now
H/ery fpeedily come on.
1 beg you will excufe the trouble I give you in requeftlng
you will favor me, in your next, with copies of the refolve
of Congrefs for railing the regiment of artillery in Virginia
and appointing colonel Harrifo < to the command of it, —
and of another, pafTed the latter end of feventy-fix, for raif-
ing three batallions of continental artillery. Some difputes
about rank have arifen, which make the fe refolutions necef-
fary \ and it happens that my papers of that period are ab-
fent. — With the'utmoft refpecl, I have the honor to be,
fcc. G. W.
P. S. I requeft you will be pleafed to forward the iuclofcd
to Mr. Sergeant without delay.
\*The following fetter, without date, appears to kc.ve been
written about the fifteenth of dugujl^ I77^«]
MR. Fuhrer and Mr. Kleinfmit have lately left the
Britifh lines, and ocme in to us. — The account they give of
themfelves is this, that they had been firft-lieutenants in the
Heffian corps, were taken prifoners at Trenton, refided dur-
pg their captivity at Dumfries in Virginia, were lately ex?
changed,
7
3i6 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
changed, and have fince refigned their commiffions j — that
having folicited permiffion to come out from the enemy, and
being refined, they determined to leave them at all hazards,
and have now put their defign in execution.— The circum-
flances of their captivity are known to feveral officers in our
army.
They are deflrous of entering into our fervice, obferving
that there are a number of German officers in the fame dif-
pofition with themfelves, who will refign and join us, if they
find that thefe meet with proper countenance. — It appears
to me that important advantages may attend the encourag
ing a difnofition of this nature (if it really exifts3 — which is
far from being impoffible) from the influence it will necefTa-
rily have upon the foldiery by increafmg that fpirit of defer-
tion and difcontent which already prevails among them.
Congrefs will bed judge of the propriety of employing
thefe gentlemen. — I have been thinking in what manner it
might be done : and the mode leaft exceptionable, which at
prefent occurs to me, is to authorife them to raife a corps,
for themfelves, by enlifting fuch German inhabitants, and
fuch deferters from the foreign troops, as may be willing ta
engage. The corps at firft, as it is only by way of experi
ment, need not be large, but may be afterwards increafed as
circumftances mail point out. This meafure, I apprehend,
cannot be attended with any material inconvenience, and
may be prodi:cl:ive of utility. If the gentlemen are employ
ed at all, it muft be in a new corps, as they could not be in
troduced into any of thofe already formed, without injuring
the officers in them, and producing difTatisf action, murmurs,
and resignations.
I have founded them on the plan here fuggefted, and they
feem to be very fanguine in its fuccefs, and anxious to un
dertake it. — They expe£l fome augmentation in rank; and
indeed it feems ncceffary, in order the more effedtually to
interell others to follow their example : but caution mould
be ufcd not to carry the idea too far, becaufe, befides other
weighty
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 317
weighty confiderations, the higher the rank conferred on
them, the more difficult it will be to provide for thofe who
may hereafter come to us, and who will of courfe frame
their expectations by comparifon.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
P. S. An additional grade, to the rank they held in the
corps they come from, will, in my opinion, be fufficient.
SlR, Head- Quarter S) JI bite-Plains, Aug. 1 6, 1778.
I TAKE the liberty, by the conveyance now offered
me by captain Riley, to tranfmit to Congrefs the proceed
ings of the court-martial in the cafe of major-general Lee.
The inclofed papers comprehend a requeft by general
Phillips for an officer to go to Canada by way of the lakes,
on the, fubjecl: of clothing for the convention troops. I do
not conceive myfelf at liberty to anfwer general Heath upon
the point, who referred it to me ; and requeft that Con
grefs will favor me with their direction as foon as theycon-
veniently can, that I may enable him to fatisfy general Phil
lips refpecling it.
I have not received a fingle tittle of intelligence from.
Rhode-Ifland fince general Sullivan's letter of the tenth, a
copy of which I tranfmitted in mine of the thirteenth. I
am extremely anxious to hear from thence, and of count
P'Eftaing's fafe arrival in port : the moment I do, 1 fliall do
myfelf the honor to advife Congrefs.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. "W.
SIR, Head-quarters^ White-Plains , Aug. 16, 1778.
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you to-day by
captain Riley, I received a letter from general Sullivan, a
copy of which you have inclofcd. From this it appears the
count D'Eiuing had not returned with his fquadron on the
thirteenth
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
thirteenth inftant : and there is reafon to fear, from the
violence of the weather ever fince, that he has not yet got
in. — This accident has much deranged our views j and I
fhall be happy if it does not totally defeat our enterprife
agaihft Rhode-liland. — I feel much for the count. He has
been peculiarly unfortunate in the combination of feverai
untoward circumftances fo frustrate his plans.
The letter addreffed to you accompanied mine from ge
neral Sullivan. They were both delivered at the fame
inftant ; and through inadvertence I broke the feal of yours.
Before I had opened it, I difcovered the mi (lake j and the
contents have not been feen. This relation, I truft, will*
apologife for the meafure.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Your favor of the thirteenth has come to hand.
SlR, Head-Quarters, White-Plains, Auguft 19, 1778.
I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you a copy of x
letter from general Sullivan, dated the feventeenth inftant,'
which I juft now received, with the letter inclofed.— It ap
pears that count D'Eftaing was ft ill out with his fleet,- but
yet that the general was in high fpirits, and entertained the
ttrongeft hopes of fuccels. I .flatter myfelf they are well
grounded, and that in the courfe of a few days he will an
nounce the entire reduction of the enemy's force on the
ifland.
The declaration refpecYmg governor Johnfton has been
fent by a flag to the Brrtim commilTioners.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-quarters^ JFhltc-Plains, Augujl 21, 1778.
YOUR favor of the fixteenth, with the fevera1! pa
pers to which it referred, came duly to hand on wednef-
day afternoon.
I this
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 3*9
I this minute received from general Sullivan the letter f
have now the honor of forwarding you, with one addrefled
to myfeif. A copy of the latter is alfo inclofed.— The ge
neral feems to have been very near the enemy's lines, and
on the point of opening all his batteries.— Things appear to
be in a promifing train.
By advices from an officer of rank and intelligence who is
ftationed with a party in Monmouth county, I am informed
that fixteen (hips entered the Hook on the feventeenth, — •
one having a flag ; and that, on that and the preceding
day, a heavy cannonade was heard at tea.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarter sy ffih he-Plains, Augujl 21, 1778*
I DO myfeif the honor of transmitting to Congrefs
the inclofed memorial of colonel Rawlings, prefented in
behalf of himfelf and the Maryland officers who were under
his command in the year 1776. The facls which are dated
in it are generally true : and I cannot but feel myfeif ex-*
ceedingly interefted in favor of thefe gentlemen. The con-
du£t of this whole corps, when Fort-Wamington was at
tacked, is fo generally known and approved, that it is almofl
unnecefTary to add upon the fubjedt. However I think it
but juCtice to obferve that every reprefentation of that day's
tranfacliott gave them the higheft credit. They fought with
a degree of veteran bravery ; and, though but a handful,
they maintained their ground a confiderable time, not with--
Handing the mod vigorous efforts to force them. All who
were fpectators upon the occafion have declared this ; and
the enemy themfelves have not refufed them applaufe.
It feems hard that officers of their merit fhould be over
looked, — and a lofs to the fervi-ce that they fhould remain un •
employed : but the confequences that would attend their in
corporation with any of the corps now exiiling appear too dif-
agrceable, to try the experiment. Colonel Rawlings himfelf*
from. the information I have had, does not incline to give
any
320 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
any uneafinefs to the line of the army, and would rather
make a diftant part of it againil the Indians, in cafe he could
be provided for in that way. Captain Beall, who is charged
with this, will be able to inform Congrefs more fully than I
can of the wifiies of the colonel and the reft of his officers ;
and his account may lead perhaps to feme fuitable and prac
ticable provifion for them. — As I have obferved before, they
are men who deferve well of their country. — I only men
tion the Maryland officers upon this occafion, becaufe that
part of the corps which came from Virginia was provided
for by the (late in their prefent arrangement, as I have been
credibly advifed.
Mr. Rawlings was never in the complete and actual com
mand of the regiment under his direction as colonel, becaufe
lie never obtained a commimon : but he became entitled to
it according to the then common rule of promotion by the
death of colonel Stephenfon, and the non-acceptance of co
lonel Morgan who was appointed to it. Of the latter cir-
cumftance, Mr. Rawlings, I am perfuaded, was never ap-
prifed, as it was kept a fecret from an apprehenfion that the
enemy might claim an officer of the rank of colonel in
exchange for Morgan who was then a prifoner on parole, if
his promotion came to their knowledge. — Major Williams
of the Maryland part of the corps was appointed by the (late
to one of lher regiments now in the field, and is the only
officer in his predicament I know of, that they arranged.
I have the -honor to be, &c. G. W.
Sis, Head-Quarter^ White-Plains, Auguft 24, 1778.
I HAD yefterday the honor to receive your favor of
the twentieth inftant.— I take the liberty of transmitting you
a copy of a letter which this minute came to hand from ge
neral Sullivan, 'advifing of the count D'Eftaing's arrival.
He omitted to inclofe the admiral's letter to which he re
fers j and therefore I can give no further intelligence than
o what
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 3*1
what the copy contains. — From the differing of the fleet*
the ftorm muft have been exceedingly fevere at fea.
I alfo inclofe two York papers of the nineteenth and
twentieth. Thefe mention an engagement off Sandy-Hook
on the fifteenth. It could only have been partial on the
fide of the French fquadroii at any rate, as the Languedoc
and the feventy-four-gun (hip muft have loft their mafts be
fore that time.-^-It would feem by the account given in the
papers, that the Ifis and fome other {hips on the part of the
enemy had been damaged*
1 have the honor to be, &Ci G. W*
SIR, Head-quarters^ White-Plains^ Augufl 25, 1778.
INCLOSED you will be pleafed to receive a copy
of a letter of the twenty-third inftant from general Sul
livan, which came to hand about half after three o'clock
this morning, with the feveral papers to which it refers,
copies of which are alfo tranfmitted. By thefe, Congrefs
will perceive our profpefts are much changed with re-
fpecT: to the operations againft Rhode-Ifland ; and that the
iflue, as things are now circumftanced, — whether we look
to a continuation of the fiege, to an immediate attack, or a
retreat, — muft be attended with great difficulty and rifk.— •
I truft the wifeft meafures will be purfued ; and I will hope
for the beft.— I have the, honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. General Sullivan, I think, muft be under a miftake
as to the amount of the relief which the enemy had at
tempted to give from York.— I have ufed every poflible
means to gain information from time to time on this head ;
and I never could learn, either from deferters or others who
had been in the city, that any troops had embarked fince the
reinforcement fent up the Sound long ago, except fome
draughts to ac~t in the fleet as marines.
VOL. II.
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
322
y White- Plains, Augujl 31, 1778,
SIR, three o'clock, P. M.
I WOULD take the liberty to inform Congrefs that
colonel Armand is come to camp with his corps, and has
applied to me for commiiTions for his officers. — By the refo-
lution for eftabiiming the corps, it was to be officered out of
the foreigners then commiffioned in our fervice, who were
not nor could be provided for in any of the regiments. In-
ilead of this, there are only three officers in this corps who
before held any commiffions in our fervice, viz. lieutenant-
colonel Vrigney, and captains Mercley and Shafner. The
two lad were only lieutenants, and are now appointed to
captaincies, contrary (it feems to me) to the fpirit and inten
tion of the refolution.
As colonel Armand has departed from his inftruclions
which mud govern me, I am not authorifed to grant the
commiffions he requires, and am therefore under the neceiTity
of troubling Congrefs with the arrangement of the corps,
N° i, as it now actually (lands for their confideration
and decifion. — The colonel founds his deviation from
the refolve upon fome verbal intimation given him that the
part in queftion would not be infilled on.
I would alfo take the liberty to mention that general Du
Portail lately delivered me a memorial, in which, among other
things, he reprefents that he had made an agreement with
Congrefs at his firft appointment, that neither himfelf nor
the other gentlemen with him (hould ever be commanded
by any of the engineers who had preceded them in our
army.-— I could not but anfwer that the commiflions of
officers were the only rule of precedency and command I
had to judge by ; and, while others held fuperior appoint
ments, I mud confider them accordingly in the courfe of
fervice. He gave me the inclofed letter to you upon the
fubjecl, and is extremely anxious to have the matter placed
upon a certain fooling : and, no doubt, it will be for the
good
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 323
good and tranquillity of the fervice that the claim be de
termined as fpeedily as pofllble one way or the other. At
the fame time I think it right to obferve that it cannot be
expected that colonel Cofciufko, who has been a good while
in this line, and conducted himfelf with reputation and
fatisfaction, will confent to act in a fubordinate capacity
to any of the French gentlemen except general Du
Portail. * * *
Since i had the honor of writing you on the twenty-fifth
inftant, I have not received a fingle line from general Sulli
van. The only intelligence I have from the eaftward is
from monfieur Pontjobeau. This gentleman left Rhode-
Ifland the twenty-feventh, and arrived about two hours ago
in camp. From him I learn that our people were ftill on
the ifland ; — that it was generally thought they had made
effectual provifion for a retreat in cafe of exigency ; — that in
the evening of that day he met monfieur Preville, an officer
belonging to the Languedoc, at Providence, going with
difpatches to general Sullivan, — who informed him that the
French fleet had got into Bofton. — He further adds that
monfieur Calonne who was in company with him at Pro
vidence, and who had more converfation with monfieur Pre
ville than he himfelf had, told him that monfieur Preville
faid count D'Eftaing had failed or was on the point of failing
again for Rhode-Ifland with ten fhips of the line and his
frigates. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Your favor of the twentieth only came to hand
juft now.
Head- Quarters, White-Plains^ September I, 1778,
SlR, eleven o'clock^ A. A'l.
I DO myfelf the honor of tranfmitting you a copy of
a letter I this minute received from general Sullivan. — I
congratulate Congrefs on the repulfe of the enemy, and only'
wifh our troops may be able to effect a retreat, which fee his
Y2 the
324 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
the mod eligible meafure they can purfue in the prefent
fituation of things.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head- Quarters, White-Plains, Sept. 4, 1778.
I have been duiy honored with your favor of the
twenty-eighth and that of the thirtieth ultimo, with the
feveral inclofures to which they refer.
Congrefs may rely that I will ufe every poflible means in
my power to conciliate any differences that may have arifen
in confequence of the count D'Eftaing's going to JBofton,
and to prevent a publication of the proteft upon the occa-
fion.— Several days before the receipt of the refolution, I
had written to the eaftward, urging the neceflrty of har
mony, and the expediency of affording the admiral every af
fiance to refit his fliips. This I repeated after the refo
lution came to hand; and I have alfo taken opportunity to re-
queft all the general officers here to place the matter in the
mod favorable point of view whenever they hear it men
tioned.
The five hundred guineas, which Congrefs were pleafed to
order, came fafe to hand, and (hall be appropriated lo the
purpofes they intended, and as the exigency of the fervice
may require. ^-For want of fuppiies of this fort, we have
been very deficient in intelligence in many important
ard interefling points. In fome cafes, no confideration in
paper money has been found fufficient to effect even an en
gagement to procure it: and, where it has been otherwife,
the terms of fervice, on account of the depreciation, have
been high, if not exorbitant.
The defigns of the enemy, as to their future movements,
remain yet entirely [in the dark~\ : but the expectation of their
leaving ,the continent is daily decreafing. The hurricane
feafon feems oppofed to their going to the Welt-Indies ; and
the paflage to Europe in a little time will become more and
more
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 325
more dangerous. Befides thcfe, there is another circumftance,
of fome weight, if true, to induce a belief that they mean to
(lay. It appears by the papers that part of the regiments
lately raifed in Britain are ordered to Halifax. If the troops
here were intended to be recalled, it would feem that fome
of them would be fent to reinforce that garrifon fooner than
troops from England or Scotland ; and hence I think it may
be prefumed that another campaign will take place in Ame*
rica, efpecially if adminiftration are difappointed in their
expectations from the commiflion.
Where the theatre of war may be, mufl be a matter of
conjecture. But, as it is an acknowledged fact that an
army acting in the eaftern (tales mud derive flour for its
fupport from thofe more weftern, I fubmit to Congrefs the
expediency, and, in my opinion, the neceffity, of eltablim--
ing, without lofs of time, magazines of this article at con
venient places (removed from the Sound) in Connecticut
and Maffachufetts. I am the more induced to with an
early confideration of this point, as, by a fudden move of
the army (mould events make it necefiary), the departments
of commulary and quarter^mafter would be greatly diftreffed,
Nor would fuch magazines, I ihould imagine, be attended
with any confiderable lofs, though the army mould not ope
rate in that quarter, as the flour would anfwer occafionally
for our (hipping, and the furplus might in all probability be
otherwife readily difpofed of.
I take the liberty of tranfmitting to Congrefs a memorial
I received from the reverend Mr. Tetard. — -From the certifi
cates annexed to it, he appears to be a man of great merit j
and, from every account, he has fuffered in the extreme in the
prcfent conteft. His attachment, fervices, and misfortunes,
feem to give him a claim to a generous notice : but, according
to the new eftablifhment of the army, it is not in my power
to make any provifion for him. I therefore recommend his
cafe to the attention and confideration of Congrefs?
£/> o'clock) p. Mi- J this minute received a letter from
Y 3 general
326 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
general Sullivan, of which the iriclofure, N? 2, is a copy,
I {hall be exceedingly happy if a perfect reconciliation
has taken place between him and the count and all the
officers. — His letter will mew fome of the reafons that led
to the proteft, and that it was the hope of our officers that
it would have operated as a juftification to the admiral, to
return againft the fentiments of his council, efpecially as
it coincided (as it is faid) with his own inclination. — 1 had
theie reafons from another hand when the proteft firft came.
September 5. 1 was duly honored yefterday evening
with your favor of the thirty-firft ultimo. — Though it is not
exprefled in the refolution of that date that any other bounty
is to be given to the men who engage for three years or
during the war, than twenty dollars, I mall take it for granted
they are to receive the ufual allowances of clothing and land.
— There are feveral continental troops whofe time of fervice
will expire at the end of the fall or during the winter. I
{hall confider thefe within the meaning and operation of the
refolve, though they are not mentioned ; and (hall direct:
every necefiaiy meafure to be taken to re-enlift them.
From the exorbitant Hate, town, and fubftitute bounties, I
am very dpubtful whether twenty dollars will be found fufli-
cient to engage fo great a proportion either of the draughts
or continentals, as was at iirft apprehended. Our failure
in the enterprife againft Rhode-Iiland will hftve its weight ;
and every day, from the approach of the fall and winter,
•will acid new difficulties. As" it is a work of the moil eflen-
tial importance, I will order it to be begun the inftant the
money arrives : and, left, on experiment, the fum fhould
prove too fmall, I would fubmit it to Congreis whether it
.will not be expedient to pals another refolve, aiuhoriiing
a further bounty of ten dollars, to be ufed as circumftances
may make it neceffary. This can remain a fecret, and will
not be carried into execution but in cafe of evident neceility,
• — I feel very much intereiled upon the occafion, and have
fubmitted this mode, that there may not be the leaft poilibie
delay
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 327
delay in attempting to engage the men under a fecond ex
pedient if the firft fhould not fucceed. — The articles of
clothing and blankets fhould alfo employ the utmoft atten
tion to provide them : we are now in great want, particu
larly of the latter ; there not being lefs than- actu
ally wanted at this moment.
I have the honor to be, £c. G. W.
P. S. The return of blankets has not come in ; and there
fore I cannot afcertain the deficiency by this conveyance.
SIR, Head- Quarter sy FTbhc-P tains, Sept. 4, 1778.
I HAD the pleafure to hear this morning, by a let
ter from general Sullivan, of the thirty-firfb ultimo, that he
had effected a retreat to the main, the preceding night,
without any lofs either of men or {lores. As he has written
to Congrefs fully upon the fubjecl:, and I feel their anxiety
to hear it, I mail not detain major Morris longer than to
obferve that I think the retreat a moft fortunate, lucky, and
well-timed event.
Major Morris informs me he has heard that lord Howe
was off Bofton with his fleet : and it appears by a New-
York paper of the fecond, that rear-admiral Parker arrived
at Sandy-Hook on this day week with fix (hips of the line,
of feventy-four guns each, — which is corroborated by other
accounts. — I tranfmitted the intelligence to his excellency
count D'Eftaing yefterday and the day before, as it acquired
more and more the appearance of certainty, — as I have regu
larly done every occurrence intereiling to his fleet and our
operations — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
SIR, Head-quarters^ Wbite-Pla'ins^ Sept. 7, 1778.
I TAKE the liberty of laying before Congrefs the
inclofed copies of a paragraph and fchedule contained in a
Y 4 letter
328 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
letter from general Heath, which I lately received. Thefe
will apprife Congrefa, if they are not already informed, of
the fuppiies of provifion and wood wanted by the count
D'Eftaing, and will naturally lead to a confideration of the
ways and means to be purfued for furnifhing them as foon as
poflible.
Since I had the honor of addreffing you on the fourth and
fifth inilant, 1 have obtained a return of the blankets which
are now deficient. This, and the faft approach of the fall,
will fuggeft the neceflity of the moft vigorous exertions
being ufed to procure them. Not a night will pafs from
this time without the foldiers feeling the want.
J have the honor to be, &c, G. W.
S I fc, Head-Quart ers, White-Plains^ Sept. 1 2 , 1778.
I DO myfelf the honor of returning to Congrefs the
report of their committee on the fubjeft of an infpe&orlhip
(transmitted in your letter of the twentieth ultimo, which
was not received till the thirty-firft), with fuch obfervations
as have occurred to me in confidering the matter, and which
I have made with a freedom that I truil will be agreeable to
Congrefs.— I wifli it had been in my power to have returned
it before ; but the intervention of a variety of other important
bufinefs from time to time obliged rr;e to poftpone a con-
clufion upon the points till yeflerday.
I have already, in a letter of the twenty- fixth of July,
delivered my fentiments upon the confequences that would
atte'nd the baron Steuben's being appointed to an a£tual and
permanent command in the Ihi3 ; and therefore I will not
trouble Congrefs with a repetition of them. However I
will take the liberty to add that I am more and more con
vinced that what I then faid upon the occafion was well
founded ; and that I am certain fuch a meafure will produce
at leaft iniinite 4ifcontents and difcpietudes among the ge»
neral. officers,
2 I have
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 3*9
I have alfo had the honor to receive your favor of the
fifth inftant, with the feveral papers to which it refers.
Thefe fhall have my attention as far as practicable. — I hope
all the confederate troops are on the march from Philadel
phia, and, if they are not, that immediate orders will be
given for their joining the army.
The inclofed copy of a letter from general Sullivan, of the
tenth inftant, will inform Congrefs that the enemy have not
relinquished their burning plans, and that in this way they
have cleflroyed feveral houfes, ftores, and vefiels, at and
near Bedford,
I was advifed on wednefday night that a body of them,
confiding of four or five thoufand, under general Grey, had
made a landing in that quarter, and were intrenching. In
confequence of this, and from an apprehenfion that general
Clinton might poffibly mean to operate to the eaftward and
form fome pro] eel: in concert with lord Howe againft the
count D'Eftaing's fquadron, I determined to move the troops
from this ground to a rear pofition, better calculated to af
ford fupport to the works on the North-river in cafe an at
tempt mould be made againft them, and at the fame time
rnore convenient for forwarding detachments to the eaft>
ward, if the enemy point their operations that way.
I was the more induced to come to this determination as
moft of the accounts from New-York feemed to lead to a
belief, as they ftill do, that a confiderable movement was
and is in contemplation, if not an entire evacuation of the
city, and this by water. Befides thefe reafons, the princi-*
pal objects for taking poft here do not now exift. One was
to create every poflible jealoufy in favor of the expedition
againft Rhode-Ifland ; another the confuming the forage
within its vicinity and towards Kingfbridge. The former is
now over, and the latter in a great degree accomplifhed.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W,
330 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
Head-Quarter \r, near Fredericfburg^ September 23, 1778.
SIR,
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on the
twelfth inrtant, I have received your feveral favors of the
tenth, twelfth and fixteenth, with the refolutions to which
they allude. — I tranfmitted the Britim commiflioners the re-
folve of the fourth tnftant refpecYmg the convention troops
the morning after it came to hand, and alfo wrote to iir
Henry Clinton upon the fubje«£l of pafspons. — I have not
received his anfwer.
With refpe6l to the magazines, I have dire&ed the com-
miffary to form them on the inland communication from
hence to Bofton, at proper intervals, The twenty thoufand
barrels of flour- that Congrefs have ordered to be purchafed
•will he a valuable addition, if they can be tranfported by
water : but it feems to me there will be great rife, of its be
ing loft, if it is fent by fea while the enemy hav£ a fuperior
fleet on our coaft.
As the campaign is not clofed yet, all our cavalry are of
nfe. Thev lie in the neighborhood of the enemy's polls,
for the purpofe of retraining their parties, and for obtaining
and giving intelligence of their movements ; and they are
fuhfifted upon the forage which would other wife be ex-
pofed to them. — I am fenfible that thefe corps are attended
with great expenfe ; and the moment I. think the fcrvice will
admit of it, they or a part of them {hall be quartered in dif
ferent places diflant from the army, where they may be
provided for on better terms. The price of forage, and
the difficulty of getting it, are really objects of great mag
nitude, and fuch as mould undergo fome, regulation, if there
is any that can be adopted. — I received letters a few days ago
from the commiiTary and quarter-matter upon this fubjecl:,
copies of which, and of my letter in confequence to the fe
veral dates from MafTachufetLs -Bay to Pennfylvania inclu-
five, I take the liberty td incloie.
9 The?
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 331
The refolution prohibiting officers, except fuch as are
fpecially authoriied, to keep horfes in the army or within
forty miles of it, has been publiihed in orders, and I will
take every flep in my power to give it effect.
I have considered the practicability of reducing the teams
employed in the army, and find, however deiirable the objedt
may be, that it cannot be done. We have not at this time
more than are abfolutely and indifpenfably neceffarv, nor fo
many as would be neceffary in cafe of a rapid movement :
neither does it appear to me that there can be a fubfutution
of ox for horfe teams, at leaft to any great extent ; nor that
any material advantages would aiiie from fuch a meaiure.
There might perhaps be a fmall faving in the article of pro
vender : but this, I fear, would be greatly over-balanced in the
lofs of cattle that would be appropriated to the ufe of the
commiffary's department — After a full invefugation of the
fubjedt, I believe we mall be obliged to adhere to the kind of
teams we now employ, and that the only relief we (hall have
in point of expenfe will arife from fending a part of the
horfes to places where they may be more ealiiy foraged, when
we have fixed our camp and quarters for the winter.
I beg leave to mention to Congreis that the.e is a necefTity
of fome mode's being eftabiiihetl, by which claims on the old
quarter-mafterfhip,that remain unfatisfied, may bedifchargcd.
There are many of this nature; and theie, however well au
thenticated they may be, the gentlemen now in office do
not conceive them lei ves at liberty fo adjufi, without ob
taining fome fpecial direction for the purpofc. I am. e^ery
day applied to for payment ot inch accounts, a;id, iu many
inftances, have been obliged, as well for the fake of juftice to
individuals as for the public good, to order them to be taken
lip. It appears to me that Congreis cannot be too early in
their refolution upon this occaiion, and that either the pre-
fcnt department fhould be authoriied to fettle and pay fuch
claims, or that fome perfons Ihould be appointed and fuppli-
ed with money for the purpofe.
The
332 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
The army marched from White-Plains on the fixteenth in
fant, and is now encamped in different places. — Three
brigades, compoiing the Virginia troops, part of the right
wing, under the command of general Putnam, are at Robin-
fon's near Weft-Point : and two brigades more, compofmg
the remainder, are with baron De Kaib at Fiihkill plains,
about ten miles from the town, on the road leading to Sharon.
The fecond line, with lord Stirling, is in the vicinity of Fre-
dericfburg ; and the whole of the left wing atDanbury under
the command of general Gates. — Theie feveral pods appear
to be the heft we can occupy in the prefent doubtful Rate of
things, as they have relation to tJie fupport of Weft-Point in
cafe of an attack in that quarter, and are alio on the com
munication to the eaflward, if the enemy point their opera
tions that way. — Befides thefc diipofitions, general Scott with
a light corps remains below in the country about King's-
Street.
The letter from fir Henry Clinton which I have the honor
of trahf: nitting was lent to me to-day by colonel Baylor who,
is pofted at Hackinfac. He fays he received one for me by
the fame flag ; and, from his note, he iuppoied he had charg
ed the horieniun with it who juft arrived at head-quaiters.
Through accident he for warded yours to me ; and I tijinkjt
probable that you will he troubled with mine. If this iiiould
be the -cafe, you wili.be iq obliging as to return it to me by
the firft conveyance. — I was alio informed by colonel Baylor
that a considerable body ot the enemy landed at Pauius' Hook
in the evening of the twcnty-iecond, and were encamped that
night in the woods between four and rive miles from the
town of Ik'rgen. He had not learned their object ; but it is
likely they aie aiter forage.
I hav.e ihe honor to be, &c, G. W,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 333
SIR, Head-Quarters, Fredcricjburg, Sept. 29, 1778.
THE following is an extract: of a letter of the feven-
teenth inftant, which I had the honor to receive -from the
count D'Eftaing.
" I entreat you to promote the exchange of prifoners al
ready planned by monfieur Girard. The unhappy perfons
taken before the commencement of hoililitics cannot be fully
regarded as prifoners : their lot is dreadful. The mode ad
opted for exchanging them by means of your commiflary,
without introducing the king's name or mine into the tranf-
a&ion, removes a great part of the political difficulties which
before fubfifted."
I am an entire ftranger to the plan above referred to, or to
the mode that has been adopted for exchanging by means of
our commiiTary. He is abfent from the army : and I muft
therefore beg the favor of you to obtain from monfieur Gi
rard fuch information as will enable me to give directions
for carrying the count's defires into execution, if practic
able.
The marquis De Vienne, at prefent at Boftcn, has requeft-
cd a furlough of eighteen months to enable him to return to
France, whither he is called by fome domeftic concerns. I
do not conceive myfelf at liberty to grant his requeil without
the permifliou of Congrefs, to whom 1 would beg leave to
o'ofervc, that, if agreeable to them, he may be indulged with
out prejudice to the fervice, as he is not attached to any par
ticular command.
I have juil received an account from Jerfey, which I fear
is too true, that colonel Baylor's regiment of dragoons were
furprifed in their quarters the night before lair., and mod of
them killed or taken. — A few of the nVagglers have come in,
who can give but a very imperfect account of the matter.
They think the colonel and moil of the officers were made
prifonei$j and that the privates were put to the fwcrd.—
There
334 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
There were, I imagine, about one hundred men of the re
giment together when this unlucky accident happened.
The flay cf die enemy in Jerfey being longer than I ap
prehended, and not knowing what their real intentions may
be, ] have ordered general Maxwell to advance from Eliza-
bethtown to the neighborhood of Acquakenunk bridge, and
have lent over general Woodford's brigade from this fide of
the river. I have alfo ordered general Pulalki to advance
with as much expedition as poffible, and join the brigades. —
Lord Stirling has this day gone over to take the command of
the continental forces arid militia who are aflembling in con-
fiderable numbers. — If the enemy mean only to forage, they
will be kept from extending themfelves, by thefe troops : and
if they have any defigns upon the potts in the Highlands,
they will be prevented from feizing the pafles leading to the
forts, by lord Stirling, who will be between them and the
enemy, and always ready to poffefs them.
I have made proper difpoiitions on this fide the river for
the fccurity of the Highlands in cafe that body of the enemy,
who are on this fide Kingfbridge employed in collecting fo
rage, fhould advance.
The iketch of Rhocie-Kland, forwarded by this exprefs.
was received from general Sullivan, and left behind by acci
dent when the laft difpatches were fent off.
I have had the honor of receiving yours of the twentieth^
mcloling an order for count i'ulaiki's legion to advance to
Trenton.— I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, }Ie ad- Quarters, Fijlikill, Qttobcr 3, 1778.
I AM! honored with your favor of the twenty -feventh
of September, with the inclofed'refolves of Congrefs, a copy
of which has been tranfmitted to major-general Lincoln for
his information and direction.
Being feparated from my papers, I am uncertain whether I
mentioned in my lait, that, the enemy in the Jerfeys having
received
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 333
received a reinforcement and made fome forward movements,
I had thought it expedient to detach another brigade thither
to acl: in conj unction with the one already there together
with Pulafki's corps and the militia, and had fent major-ge
neral lord Stirling to take the command of the whole; — that
I had alfo ordered major-general Putnam acrofs the river for
the immediate fecurity of Weft-Point, and moved a diviflon.
of troops to this place, to be nearer that poft. — 1 have fmce
come here myfelf, and propofe to remain till the views of the
enemy on the Jerfeys are decided ; though I have had no
reafon to alter my opinion that nothing more than a forage
is intended. — By the laft accounts, they had drawn in their
out-parties, and refumed their firft bounds behind Hackin-
fac river, at the liberty-pole and Newbridge.
That part of Baylor's regiment which eicaped came off in
the firft inftance, and were afterwards brought off in fo dif-
perfed a manner that the number has not been afcertained :
but, from what I have learned, I fliould eftimate the lofs at
about fifty men and feventy horfes. — Major Clough is dead
of his wounds.— This affair feems to have been attended with
every circumftance of cruelty.
It is a frnall compenfation for tin's accident, that colonel
Butler three or four days ago, with a party of infantry and
horfe comprehending major Lee's corps, furprifed about a
hundred Yagers below Tarrytown, killed ten on the fpot,
and took a lieutenant and eighteen men prifoners. — The
roughnefs of the country facilitated the flight of the reft, and
prevented the fuccefs being more complete.
The proceedings in the cafe of general St. Clair accom
pany this letter.
I have the honor to be, &c. : G. W.
P. S. I have received advice of the arrival of a packet
from England.
336 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Head-Quarters^ Qffoler 6, 1778*
THIS will be delivered to you by major-general the
marquis De la Fayette. — The generous motives, which firfl
induced him to crofs the Atlantic and enter the army of the
United States, are well known to Congrefs. — Reafons equally-
laudable now engage his return to France, which in her pre-
fent circumflances claims his fervices. — His eagernefs to of
fer his duty to his prince arid country, however great, could
not influence him to quit the continent in any ftage of an
unfinifhed campaign. He refolved to remain at lead till the
clofe of the prefent, and embraces this moment of fufpenfe
to communicate his wifhes to Congrefs with a view of hav
ing the neceffary arrangements made in time, and of being
itili within reach, mould any occaflon offer of diflinguifhing
himfelf in the field.
The marquis at the fame time, from a defire of preferring
a relation with us, and a hope of having it yet in his power
to be ufeful as an American officer, folicits only a furlough
fufficient for the purpofes above-mentioned. — A reluctance
to part with 'an officer, who unites to all the military fire of
youth an uncommon maturity of judgment, would lead me
to prefer his being abfent on this footing, if it depended on
tne. I (hall always be happy to give fuch a teftimony of his
fervices as his bravery and conduct on all occafions entitle
him to j and I have no doubt that Congrefs will add fuitable
expreflions of their fenfe of his merit, and their regret on ac
count of his departure.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. The marquis is fo obliging as to take charge of a
packet containing the proceedings of a court-martial in ge
neral Schuyler's cafe.
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 33?
To the Board of War.
Head- Quarter sy near Frederic fourg^ QZlsbcr it,
GENTLEMEN,
THE incelfant and preffing applications of the of
ficers, and their real diftrefs for clothing, oblige me to re
peat my wifhes to the board, to obtain the eariiefl direction
of Congrefs for relieving their wants.— ~They are in a very
difagreeable fituation in this refpect ; and> unlefs fome mode
can be adopted for fpeedily fupplying them, many will be
obliged involuntarily to quit the fervice; or, if this mould not
be the cafe> we (hall be involved in perpetual complaints,
and the mod painful applications.
I do not recollect, when the army was firft appointed, that
there was any engagement on the part of the public that the
officers mould be provided with clothing through their
means ; nor has there been any explicit declaration fince,
that I remember, for the purpofe : but the meafure has be
come indifpenfably neceflary ; and, without the intervention
of public aid, they never can be fupplied : for their pay, if
the articles proper could be found in a private way, (from
the enormous and exorbitant prices now exacted for every
thing) would prove wholly incompetent to the end.
There is however a refolution of Congrefs, of the twenty-
fecond of November laft, which points to a provifion through
the public means and thofe of the ftates individually taken.
This has encouraged the officers to look for fupplies in the
manner there profefled ; and their not being able to obtain
them makes them more uncafy perhaps than if the refolution
had never palled.
I have written to meflieurs Otis and Andrews to make a.
return of the cloth, &c, in their hands, proper for officers,
and alfo to advife me what quantities might be procured in
cafe the board fliould direct a purchafe. This appears to be
the only practicable expedient at this time, from which re-
VOL. II. Z lief
333 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
lief can be drawn : and, if it is to be adopted, the Agents
cannot be too foon ordered to carry it into execution. — I
really wiih to be informed by the board by the fir (I opportu
nity whether the officers may expect fupplies through the
public ftores, that I may be able to anfwer them decisively
upon the point when they apply. — As matters now (land, I
am in a very awkward and irkfome fituation.
Since it is evident that the officers cannot provide them-
felves with clothing, and that there is a neceffity for the in
tervention of the public aid, I would fubmit it to the board
whether it may not be proper for them to form an eilimate
of clothing, proportioned to the number of officers in the
army, for the confideration of Congrefs, and to obtain their
fan£Hon for importing the fame, if they approve the plan.
This meafure, it feems to me, is the only one that can en-
fure relief in future ; and it appears the more eligible as the
lofs to the public will be infinitely lefs than if they procure
the articles in the country, fuppofing that it could be done.
Befides this confideration, the ofHcers then might be pro
perly uniformed and all placed on a juil and equal footing.
If the board mould be authorifed to direct an immediate
purchnfe of clothing for the officers, I will take the liberty
to fugged that ic may not be improper for them to enjoin
on the part of the clothier a ftrict compliance with the re-
folution of Congrefs which I have mentioned, in the fale.
The officers fay that hitherto it has not had the neceflary
and generous operation intended by Congrefs ; but, on the
contrary, in tjhe few inftances in which they have been
able to furnifh themfelves with articles from the public
ilores, that they have done it at the current exorbitant
prices. — Indeed there are many matters in the department
which require a more perfect and explicit arrangement than
lias ever been made : and at prefent there is fuch a clafh-
ii! g; of offices and officers that it is difficult to determine how
or with whom buiihefs is to be trauiactcd.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
OFFICIAL LETTERS.' 339
, near Frederic/burg^ Oflober 14, 1778*
SIR,
SINCE I had the honor of addreffing you on the
fixth inilant by favor of the marquis De la Fayette, I re«*
ceived your letter of the fecond with its inclofure.
I do myfelf the honor of tranfmitting you an account of
the engagement between the French and Britifii fleets on
the twenty-feventh of Julyj as publifhed by the Britifh ad
miralty-board. I received a printed copy of it lafl night
from New- York, which 1 have forwarded to his excellency
count d'Eftaing* — It is evident from admiral Keppel's own
relation of the affair, that he was pretty feVerely handled,
notwithstanding he affects in the conclufion to mention that
he wiflied extremely for an opportunity to renew the combat
the next day.
We are ilill in great fufpenfe as to the operations and de-
figns of the enemy, though every practicable rneafure has
been ufed and is purfuing, to come at them. By late arid
direct accounts it would feem that fome troops at leaft are
going from New- York. ~A few days, I think, fnuft open
their conduct decifively.
I have had the misfortune to hear that the Raleigh frigate
has become a prize to two Britifh mips of war after a long
and very gallant refinance* Captain Barry$ finding that the
frigate would fall into the enemy's hands, raft her afhore on
Seal-Ifland) to which he efcaped in boats with about eighty
of his hands, and from thence to the main* It is faid ha
took meafures for blowing her up, but was defeated in his
purpofe by the perfidy of an under officer who concealed
himfelf and remained on board.
I have the honor to be, £c« G, V/*
340 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
SIR, Head-quarter st Frederic/bur & Oftvb, 18, 1778.
I /• M honored with yours of the ninth, inclofing the
refolves to extend the embargo, and to prevent foreftalling
provifions. I hope the latter will have the defired effedt :
for, unlefs that mod infamous practice of railing the prices
of the neceffaries of life can be flopped, it will be impoffible
for any funds to fubfifl the army.
Inclofed you have the copy of a petition from the refugees
in New- York to the commiftioners. You may depend upon
the authenticity of it, as it is taken from a New- York paper.
It mould feem by this that they are extremely folicitbus and
anxious to know whether New-York is to be garrifoned,
which implies a fufpicion on their part that it is to be eva
cuated. — All accounts, fmce mine of the fourteenth, confirm
the report of a very considerable embarkation. It is faid to
confift of ten Britifh regiments completed to their full efta-
blifliment, and their grenadier and light companies added to
them. This will make them amount to upwards of five
thoufand men. — They have not failed.
I cannot fay that I am fatisfied that a total evacuation of
the city is intended this winter, although many inhabitants,
near the lines, and feveral out of the city, are of that opi
nion. — I have fet every engine at work to procure full intel
ligence of their defigns ; and I hope to fucceed. The cur
rent opinion of deferters and others is that the prefent em
barkation is intended for the Weft-Indies : fome few have
faid that they have a defign upon Charleiton.
1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarters, Fredericjburg^ Oflol* 24, 177$.
THE letter which I had the honor of addreffing to
you the day before yefterday would inform Congrefs of the
embarkation and failing of a cor.fiderable detachment of the.
enemy from New- York, and of the xneafures I had. taken in
expectation
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 341
expectation of and upon the happening of the event. — Whe
ther this will be fucceeded by a further embarkation, or by
a total evacuation of the pods which they hold within the
flates, in the courfe of this year or the enfuing one, I cannot
pretend to determine. But, as it will be right and prudent
in us to provide for every contingency, I would with the
greateft deference fubmit it to Congrefs whether it may net
be proper for them to call upon the flates to provide men in
time for filling their refpeclive batallions, before or at any
rate againft the opening of the fpring, and in the fame man
ner as if there was a moral certainty that the war would
be profecuted with all poflible vigor on the part of Britain.
Should this not be the cafe, or ihould any events cad up in
the mean time to render troops unneceflary, it will be eafy
to dilband the levies and to keep them from the field, - while,
on the other hand, our relaxation in not providing them may
fubjedt us at leaft to many difagreeable confequences.
The general return of the infantry in the month of Sep
tember, tranfmirted to the board of war by the adjutant-ge
neral, and to which I beg leave to refer, will (hew Congrefs
the whole amount of our reputed force at that time. But I
am to obferve, that large, very large deductions are to be
made from it on account of the columns of Tick, and the men
faid to be on command. Many under the former defcrip-
tion, particularly that of fick abfent, are actually dead ;
others, unfit for fervice ; and feveral, who have recovered,
have deferted : nor will the latter afford more than one half
of its number in time of action, as various duties, fuch as
waggoning, diftant guards, efcorts, &c, employ a great pro
portion of thofe under this denomination.
Befides the above deductions, Congrefs will perceive from
the return which I now take the liberty of tranfmitting, that
there are four thoufand three hundred and eighty draughts
and others, whofe terms of fervice will expire during and by
the clofe of winter: for I am forry to add that our exertions to
•-toengage the draughts and old foldiers in this predicament,
Z 3 for
343 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
for the ufual bounty, have proved fo far ineffectual and
without fuccefs. I have not tried what effect the additional
grant of ten dollars might have : but I fear, and it feems to be
the opinion of all I have confulted upon the occafion, that it
would have but little if any influence. I know, in the cafe
of the draughts and troops of one ftate, that the offer of
twenty dollars on the part of the continent, with a like al
lowance and an actual depofit of it by the date, has been no
temptation.
This general rel u£r.ance and refufal is founded in the un
happy depreciated light in which the foldiery view the
money, and their expectation of receiving irnmenfe ftate,
diftrift, and fubftitute bounties. Whether grants or boun
ties by Congrefs, bearing fome proportion to thefe, to fuch
as (hould enlift for the war, would be attended with better
fuccefs, I cannot undertake to decide. The experiment
rhay be made if they judge it proper : and if it proves an
inducement of any extent, it will be an infinite faving in the
end. I believe however our fureft and only certain aids wili
be derived from draughting, which I trufl may and will
be done by the ftates on the recommendation of Congrefs,
agreeable to the mode mentioned in my letter to their com
mittee when they firft honored me with a vifit at Valley-
Forge. The exertions to recruit by voluntary enliftments
may {till go on, as both modes in all probability will not pro-*
tfuce near as many men as may be found neceffary.
In the cafe of the Carolina troops whofe fervice is ending
every day, the officers fay that nothing will induce them to
enlift, unlefs they can be permitted to go heme on furlough
till the fpring. On this indulgence they feem to think feve-
ral might be engaged, — The cliftance is great, and there will
be fome uncertainty as to their returning ; beiides, it will be
fixing a precedent for others. — If Congrefs approve the plan,
they will be pleafed to inform me by the earlieft opportu-«
jriity.
I arn under fame difficulty about clothing the draughts,
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 343
and the old foldiers whofe fervice is expiring and will deter
mine every day. As Congrefs have never expreileu their
fenfe upon the fubjecl:, and this is increafed by a letter
which I received feme time ago from the board of war^
which refpects particularly the draughts, I mud earneftly
requed that Congrefs will favor me with the fpeedieft di-
re£tion in the cafe, whether they are to be furniflied out of
the fupplies coming on, equally with the other troops. At
the fame time I will take the liberty to offer it as my opi
nion, that, however inconvenient or expenfive it may appear
at the fird view to clothe them, the meafure will be necef-
fary, and founded not only in humanity but found policy.
We have no profpe£t now of levying men in any other
way : and if they are not clothed, they will be exhauded by
ficknefs and by death ; and not doing it may prove an infur-
mountable bar or at lead a great obdacle to our obtaining
future aids, though the exigencies of our affairs mould be
never fo prefling. Yet the clothes may be withheld as long
as circumdances will permit, as an inducement for them
to enlid. In the indance of the old foidiers who have not
received the annual allowance of Congrefs, the point feems
clearly in their favor. — The board fuggeded that the draughts
might be fupplied out of the bed of the old clothes which
might be given in by the troops on receiving new ones : —
but unfortunately there will be few of any worth.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Qitarterst Frcderlcjburg^ Otf. 26, 1/78.
I HAD the honor of your letter of the tvrenty-fecond
indant, with its feveral inclofures, to-day at noon. — I mail
pay a proper regard to the act of Congrefs refpe£Ung mon^
(ieur De Vrigney. — For information on the fecond refolve
for obtaining a return of the re-enliftments, I mud beg
leave to refer Congrefs to my letter of the twenty- fourth.—-
1 4 I have
344 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
I have complied with the intention of the third, and tranf?
mitred the act to fir Henry Clinton, which relates to Mr.
Franks.
The certain intelligence of a large number of troops hav*
ing embarked at NewrYork,-— the failing of a confiderable
fleet concurring at the moment their departure was expect-
ed,~left me no room to doubt that the fleet which went out
of the Hook on the nineteenth and early the twentieth in-r
flant contained the embarkation of which I had been ad-
vifed. In the perfuafion of this, my letter of the twenty-
fecond to your excellency was written : but, from more re
cent advices, and through various channels, bearing every
mark of authenticity, I am to conclude the fuppofition has
been ill founded. — The above-mentioned fleet appears to
have carried away no other troops than invalids, the officers
of the corps lately reduced, with fome refugees. — The1
twenty-third inftant the troops which had embarked ftill re
mained in the harbor. They are fixed at ten or twelye Brit-
iih regiments, and fix of the new levies. — This 'fleet was
probably compofed of homeward-bound victuallers, with
fome merchantmen and other veflels which chofe to take the
protection of a convoy. The accounts ftill fay that they
were accompanied by fourteen or fifteen fail of the line and
fome frigates.
October 27. — In my letter of the twenty-fecond I advifed
your excellency of the meafures I had taken to afcertain the
practicability of an enterprife againft Chemung. — I have the
honor to inclofe the report of governor Clinton, general
Schuyler, and general Hand, on the fubject.— -I cannot help
concurring with thefe gentlemen in opinion, and am per-
fuaded from a number of confiderations that we muft lay
afide all thoughts of arTexpedition againfl that place for the
prefent. Befides other neceflary preparations, we have not
yet been able to get forward the clothing for the army.— -
The Congrefs will alfo perceive in lieutenant-colonel But
ler's journal, tranfmitted to your excellency in my letter of
the
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 345
/
the twenty-fecond inftant, the great difficulties he had to en
counter in croffing the rivers at a much earlier feafon of the
year.-^-I have the honor to be, &c, G. W.
Sm, Head-quarter S) near Frederlcfburgy Off. 31, 1778,
YOUR excellency's favor of the twenty-third in*
flant was, delivered me yefterday, with the refolution refpe£b-
ing monfieur L'Eclife, As foon as I am notified of the
place of his re fi deuce, I will give the neceffary directions
for carrying into execution the humane and benevolent in*
tention of Congrefs towards him.
I take the liberty to inclofe a letter from doctor Conolly
refpe&ing his fituation. His cafe, I am perfuaded, will
have due attention, and fuch a determination as humanity
and policy will juflify.
By intelligence received yefterday evening, it is faid that
tranfports with ten regiments on board had fallen down
from York to the watering-place ; that there were feveral
other (hips laden (not faid with what) ; and that there were
others at the wharfs taking in troops.-^- 1 cannot tell whether
this intelligence is certain : for we have been deceived of
late in points of information that feemed to carry equal
marks of authenticity. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. Juft as I was clofing my letter I received one from
lord Stirling, dated yefterday at nine o'clock A. M. by which
he informs me that on wednefday and thurfday about eighty
fail of iliips, chiefly tranfports with troops, fell down from
New-York to Staten-Ifland, and that fixty or feventy fail
lay there before.
SlR, Head-barters^ November 6, 1778.
ON wedncfday evening I received your excellency's
favors of the thirtieth ultimo and fir it inftant, with their feveral
inclofures. — I will direct the bell and cheapeft difpofition I
can to be made of the cavalry for their accommodation in
quarters, and will inilruct the forage-mafter on the occa-
fion.
346 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fron.—The remittance to the paymafter, which you men
tion, I prefume has come to hand, having been applied to
by him to iffue an order for the payment of ihc troops for
Auguft and September. — I have tranfmitted the letter from
Nicholas Dupui and others, with the affidavits, to his excel
lency governor Clinton, and have ordered colonel Cortlandt to
march with his regiment towards the Minifmks, and to take
fuch pod as the governor may point out.— I have made a
dtflribution of the printed manifeftoes ; and there is no doubt
but the enemy will very foon be pofleired of fome of the co
pies, and of newfpapers that contain them.
By a letter from lord Stirling, of the third inftant, he in
formed me that the fleet at the Hook the preceding day in-
creafed to a hundred and eight fail ; and, that morning at
feven, weighed anchor and itood out to fea. — I am impatiently
waiting for further advices from New-York, and to learn
whether any other and what movements are likely to take
place. — I have the honor to bey &c. G. W.
SlR, Uead'^itartcr^ Frederlcfourg^ Nov. II, 17/8.
I HAVE been honored with yours of the nineteenth,
twenty-feventh, twenty-eighth, and twenty-ninth, ultimo.
A tolerable fupply of {hoes has lately arrived to the iflu-
ing clothier's ftore from the eaftward, Pennfylvania, and
Jeriey : and, if the different perfons employed in procuring
that article will exert themfelves to keep up the fupply, I
hope we mall not be much diilrefied during the winter, pro
vided we remain quietly in quarters.
It is much to be wimed that Congrefs would come to a
fpeedy refolution concerning the procuring clothing for the
officers at a price in proportion to their pay, more efpecially
as they w£re led to expect this from a refolve which pafled
in November 1777. — If the clothing itfelf cannot be conve
niently procured, I imagine the alternative of allowing an
adequate fum of money in lieu thereof would be the next
bed expedient.
As the board muft undoubtedly have experienced the
many
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 34.7
many difficulties arifing from the want of a proper arrange-,
ment of the clothier's department, I hope they will prefs the
committee who have that bufmefs in charge, to bring in their
report, that the new fyftem may be carried into execution
without lofs of time. — Whether it has been owing to want
of conduct in the late officer, or his want of proper power*
and directions, I will not undertake to determine : but the
irregularity in that department has been an endlefs fourcc
of trouble to me, and a great caufe of difcontent in the
army.
I have given the ifluing clothier directions to keep an ac
count of the marks and numbers of the bales of blankets,
and of the quality of their contents, from whence you will
be able to trace from whom thofe fmall ones were purchafed.
When the iiTues are completed, you Ihall have the account.
—The directions to Mr. Meafe were very proper. — If any
corps want completing in any particular article which is not
to be procured here, I will fign the order myfelf*
In the prefent fcarcity of hats, the caps of which you
have forwarded a pattern muft be ufed by way of fubftitute.
But an officer very attentive to the health of his men in
forms me that he found an inconvenience from the ufe of
woollen caps lad winter inftead of hats : when the men put
them off in the fpring, they many of them took violent colds
from the fucklcn tranfition. They alfo contribute to keep
the head dirty, — than which nothing is more unhealthy.
I find it impracticable to carry the recommendation of the
board, refpecling calling in the old clothes upon delivery of
the new, into execution. The folcliers were not to be con
vinced of the good policy and economy intended by the ap
plication of the old clothes to hofpitals and the followers of
the army, but looked upon it as an unjultifiable attempt to
deprive them of what they had earned by their year's fer-
vicc, and what (considering the fcanty fupply of ibme kinds
of covering, blankets in, particular) would help to make them
more comfortable during the winter, Thefe difcontent?)
were
343 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
were communicated to me, the moment they arofe, by fomc
of the bed officers in the line ; which determined' me to let
the matter drop, more efpecially as another argument was
made ufe of, which was im-atifvverable : this was, that, upon
a fair Settlement, there would be found a confiderable defi
ciency of the bounty- clothing for a year or two paft, and
that therefore it would be more equitable to make up the de
ficiency than to draw in the remains.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-quarters^ November II, 1778.
ON wednefday afternoon I received a letter from the
honorable Mr. Lee and Mr. Lovell of the committee for
foreign affairs, inclofing a plan and fundry refolutions of
Congrefs for attacking Canada the next campaign in con
junction with the forces of his mod chrillian majefly, —
and requefling my obfervations upon the fame to be tranf-
mitted to Congrefs, and a copy to be delivered to the mar
quis De la Fayette. Thefe difpatches, through the indifpo-
Ction of the marquis (who unfortunately was feized with a
fever in his journey from Philadelphia, which ilill detains
him at Fiihkill), were prevented coming to hand till that
time: and the great importance and extent of the Subject
they comprehend would not permit me tfye honor of an
earlier communication of my fentiments. — I hope Congrefo
vill excufe my not complying with that part of the refolu-
tion which requires me fo deliver a copy of my obfervations
to the marquis, as the manner in which I am obliged to treat
the Subject. opens fuch a profpe£t of. our wants and our
weaknefieSj, as, in point of policy, ought only to be known
to ourfelves.
I am always happy to concur in fentiment with Congrefs 5,
and I view the emancipation of Canada as an object very in-
terefling to the future prosperity and tranquillity of tliefe
flates : but I am ferry to fay the plan jprc^cfed for the pur-
pofe
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 349
pofe does not appear to me to be eligible under our prefent
circum'ftances. — I confider it as my duty, and what Con-
grefs expe&s from me, to give my reafons for this opinion
with that franknefs and candor which the importance of the
fubjecl: demands j and, in doing this, I am perfuaded I {hall
not fail to meet with their approbation.
It feems to me impolitic to enter into engagements with
the court of France for carrying on a combined operation of
any kind without a moral certainty of being able to fulfil our
parts, particularly if the firft propofal came from us. If we
fhould not be able to perform them, it would argue either a
want of confideration, a defective knowledge of our re-
fources, or fomething worfe than either, which could not
fail to produce a degree of diftrufl and difcontent that might
be very injurious to the Union. — In the prefcut inftance,
iliould the fcheme propofed be adopted, a failure on our
part would certainly occafion in them a mifapplication of a
confiderable land and naval force which might be ufefully
employed clfewhere, and probably their total lofs. — It is
true, if we were at this time to enter into the engagement,
we fhould be every day better able to judge whether it will
be in our power to accomplifli what may be expected from
us : and, if we fhould find hereafter that our refources will
be unequal to the undertaking, we may give notice to the
court of France in feafon to prefent the failing of the troops
and the ill effe&s which might attend it. But betides that a
project of this kind could not be embraced by France without
its having an influence on the whole fyftem of operations for
the next campaign, which of ccurfe would receive fome de
rangement from its being abandoned, — a renunciation of this
could not fail to give a very unfavorable imprefTion of our
forefight and providence, and would ferve to weaken the
confidence of that court in our public councils.
So far from there being a moral certainty of our comply
ing with our engagements, it may in my opinion be very
fafely pronounced, that, if the enemy keep pcrTefTion of their
8 prefent
350 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
prefent pofts at New- York and Rhode-Ifland, it will be im
practicable either to furnifh the men or the other neceffary
fupplies for profecuting the plan. They will not attempt to
keep thofe pofts with lefs than ten thoufand men and a con-
fiderable navy.— If it mould be thought beft for the advan
tage of carrying on the expeditions intended, to forego any
offenfive operations againft thefe garrifons, and to leave
them in quiet pofiefTian of fuch important places, we fliall
at lead be obliged to provide for the fecurity of the country
againft their incurfions and depredations, by keeping up a
force fuiTicient to confine them within their own limits. It
is natural too to fuppofe that the people's expectations of
being protected will grow ftronger in proportion to the di
minution of the enemy's force, and the greater facility with
which it can be afforded. They will hardly be content to
continue in a ftate of alarm and infecurity from a force fo in-
confiderable, while the principal ftrength of the ftates is
drawn out in the profecution of remote objects. — If this
reafoning is juft, we mall be obliged to have a larger force
than the enemy, pofted in different places to prevent fudden
inroads which they would otherwile be able to make at dif
ferent points : and the number required cannot be eftimated
at lefs than twelve or fifteen thoufand men. This will be
two-thirds as large a force as we have been able to raife and
maintain during the progrefs of the war, as thefe calcula
tions both of the enemy's ftrength and of our own are meant
to uefignate the number of efreclive rank and file.
If 1 rightly underftand the plan in confiderution, k re
quires for its execution twelve thoufand fix hundred men
rank and file. Befides thefe, — to open paiiages through a
wildernefs, for the march of the feveral bodies of troops, —
to provide the means cf long and difficult tranfportations by
land and water,— to cftabliQi pofts of communication for the
fecurity of our convoys, — to build and mun vcilels of force
ceceiTary for acquiring a fuperiority on the lakes, — thefe
and many other purpcfcs peculiar to thefe cnterprites, which
would
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 351
would be tedious in detail, will demand a much larger pro
portion of artificers and perfons to be employed in manual
and laborious offices, than are ufual in the ordinary courfe
of military operations. When we add the whole together,
the aggregate number of men requifite for the fervice of the
enfuing campaign will be little lefs than double the number
heretofore in the field : but, to be more certain in the calcula
tion, it may be placed a£ only .one-half more.
Experience is the only rule to judge by in the prefent cafe.
— Every expedient has been exhaufted in the preceding cam
paigns to raife men ; and it was found impoffible to get to
gether a greater force than we had, though the fafety an.d
fuccefs of the caufe feemed abfolutely to require it. The
natural and direct inference therefore is that the refources of
the country were inadequate to a larger fupply. I cannot
then fee that we can hope upon any principle to be equal to
fo much greater exertions next year, when the people and
the army appear to grow daily more tired of the war, and
the depreciation of our money continually increafing, and of
confequence proving a fmaller temptation to induce them to
engage.
The (late of our tupplies for tranfporting and fubfifting
the troops will ftand upon a footing equally bad. We have
encountered extreme difficulties in thefe refpects, and have
found that it was 'full as much as we were competent to, to
feed the army we have already had, and enable it to keep the
field and perform the movements required by the contingencies
of the fervice. It is not likely that thefe difficulties will di-
minifh ; but on the contrary they will rather multiply -as the
value of our currency leffens : and the enormo'us prices to
which provifions have rifen, and the artificial fcarcity created
by monopolies, with what we have to fear from the efTcdk
of the fame fpirit, give us no reafon to flatter ourfelves that
our future proipecSts can be much better.
In this fituation of things we are hardly warranted to ex-
pe£t that we {hall have it in our power to fatisfy the de
mands
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
mands of numbers fa much greater than we have yet had td
fupply, efpecially if we confider that the fcene of our ope
rations has hitherto been in the heart of the country fur-
nifhing our refources, which of courfe facilitated the draw-*
ing them out,— and that we (hall then be carrying on the
war at an immenfe diftance, in a country wild and unculti
vated, incapable of affording any aid, and great part of it
hoftile. We cannot in this cafe depend on temporary or
occafional fupplies as we have been accuftomed, but muft
have ample magazines laid up beforehand. The labor and
expenfe in forming thefe, and tranfporting the neceflary
ftores of every kind for the ufe of the troops, will be in-
creafed to a degree that can be more eafily conceived than
defcribed. The tranfportation muft be, a great part of the
way, through deferts affording no other forage than herb
age : and, from this circurnftance, our principal fubfifterice
of the flefh kind mufl be falted, which would not only be
an additional expenfe in the additional confumption of fo
fcarce and dear an article as fait, but would greatly increafe
the difficulty both of providing and tranfporting. — My letter
of the twenty-ninth ultimo (tranfmitting a copy of one from
the quarter-mafter-general) which I had the honor of ad-
drefling to Congrefs, and to which I wifh to refer, will point
out the difficulties and daily expenfe attending our fupplies
of the article of flour only, in our prefent circumftances,
exclufive of its coft, — and lay the foundation for a fort of
comparative eftimate to be formed of thofe that would at
tend the fupport of the troops when employed at fo great a
diftance.
If, in addition to all this^ we mould have the French fleet
to fupply during the winter, — the likelihood of which I have
no fufiicient information to ground a judgment upon, — it
will appear ilill more impracticable to furnifh the fupplies
requifite tor the extenfive operations propofed. But, inde
pendent of this, the improbability of doing it is, in my ap-
prchcniion, infinitely too great to juilify the undertaking.
This
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 353
This reafoning is founded on a fuppofition that the enemy
do not evacuate theirtprefent pofts at New- York and Rhode-
Ifland : nor can we prefume upon any pad appearances fo far
as to determine the contrary,, and enter into a national con-
tracl:, the fulfilment of which at any rate, in my judgment,
will depend on this event. Opinions on the fubjecl: are va
rious, and the arguments on both fides cogent. Circum-
ftances have hitherto been very indecifive : — at Rhode-lfland
there is nothing that looks like an evacuation, that I have
heard of: — at New- York, the length of time elapfed fmce
the event has been expected, which cannot be fatisfaclorily
accounted for, makes it not a little doubtful and problema
tical. .
But if it were even certain that the enemy would (hortly
leave thefe dates, I mould think our ability to carry on the
expeditions meditated (from the nature of the country, and
the remotenefs from the fource of our fupplies, joined to the
clifcouraging Hate of our finances) too precarious to autho-
rife a preconcerted agreement with a foreign power, binding
ourfelves to the attempt. On the other hand, if we were
certain of doing our part, a co-operation by the French
would, in my opinion, be as delicate and precarious an en-
terprife as can be imagined. All the reafons, which induce
France and the United States to wifli to wreft Canada and
Halifax from the dominion of England, operate with her
perhaps more forcibly to ufe every pomble effort for their
defence. The lofs of them would be a deadly blow to her
trade and empire. To hope to find them in a defencelefs
ftate, rnuft be founded in a fuppofition of the total incapa
city of Britain both by land and fea to afford them protec
tion. — I mould apprehend we may run into a dangerous error
by elumating her power fo low.
We have been informed that a ftrong garrifon has been
lately fent to Halifax, amounting, by report, to about four thou-
fand men : — a part of the detachments which the enemy are
VOL. II. A a now
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
now making from New- York are currently faid to be, and iii
all probability are, deftined for that place : — if they evacuate
entirely, a very confiderable part of their force will no doubt
go there ; and in any cafe we may expect that reinforce
ments will be thrown from thence into Canada early in the
fpring. The Englifh are now greatly fuperior to the French,
by fea in America, and will from every appearance con
tinue fo unlefs Spain interpofe,— ^an event which I do not
know we are authorifed to count upon. However, as I am
deftitute of information with refpect to the prefent ftate of
European politics, this is a point upon which I can form
but an imperfect judgment : but if it fhould not take place,
1 think it infinitely probable, from the maritime fituation
and advantages of Halifax which is reprefented as the finefl
port and belt naval arferral in America, — from the fecurity
it is calculated to give to the general trade and poffeflions of
Britain, both on the continent and in the Weft-Indies, —
that it will be a ftation for a larger naval force than the
one intended to convoy the French troops: — it will na1-
turally be the principal rendez-vous of the Britifh fhips of
war in America. If this pofition be admitted, — fiiould the
Englifii have any knowledge or even fufpicion of the defign
©f the French court to fend a fleet up the river Saint Lau
rence, nothing will be eafier than to intercept this fleet on
its way, or to take or deftroy it after it has got in. Nor
can we flatter ourfclves with keeping this bufmefs a fecret.
Congrefs perhaps will be furprifed to be told that it is al
ready in more hands than they fufpect : and, in the progrcfs
cyf the negotiation in France, it will get into many more.
The preparations will announce the intention. — It is indeed
2 part of the plan to avow the deflmation of the French
troops, though this is to be contradicted by the manner of
their clothing, &c.— -The Rationing troops this winter, as is
propofed, particularly on the Mohawk and Connecticut river,
would be unequivocal proofs of the defign : it muft at leaft
excise
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 355
excite the ftrongefl fufpicion, fo as to put the Englifli na
tion upon their guard, and make them take precautions to
counteract it.
But if the French troops fhould arrive before Quebec, I
think their fuccefs againfl that ftrong place, fortified by
every advantage of nature and of art, would be extremely
doubtful. —It is fuppofed this capital poft will be found
in fo weak a condition as to make its furrender a matter of
courfe, owing to the enemy's having previoufly drained
themfelves for the defence of Detroit, Niagara, Saint John's,
Montreal, &c : but we cannot depend that this will be the
cafe :•— they may efteem it the part of prudence rather
to facrifice or at leaft to hazard the extremities in order
to colle6l their flrength at the heart. Montreal indeed, and
the pofts eflential to it, muft be defended, becaufe the pofief-
fion of them would throw too large a part of the country
into our hands. But if reinforcements are fent to Canada
early in the fpring, — a circumftance extremely likely, — thefe
may be attended to without too far weakening the garrifon of
Quebec ; and, as before obferved, we cannot build upon
their conduct's being regulated by an ignorance of our plans.
The French troops, inflead of a Coup-de-main, would in this
cafe be reduced to the neceflity of carrying on a blockade.
I will now take the liberty to turn my attention towards
the operations of our own troops. — The one againft Detroit
I mall at prefent fay nothing about : if well conducted, I
fhould hope that place would fall without very great diffi
culty. — The cafe is very different with refpect to Niagara.
This, I am informed, is one of the ftrongefl fortreiTes in
America, and can only be reduced by regular approaches or
by famine. In accomplilhing this, lafl war, and a conqueft
as far as Montreal, I believe general Amherft exhauftecl two
campaigns, with all the advantages which he derived from
the united efforts of Britain and America, with every con
venience for water- tranfportation, including plenty of fea-
men, and with money that commanded every thing which
A a a either
356 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
either country could furniih. The former mode would re
quire great perfeverance, time, and labor, and an apparatus
which it would be almoft impracticable to tranfport. The
latter is practicable, but very difficult. To effecl: it, we mud
gain a fuperiority on the lakes. The enemy have already a
refpectable force there: — if they fufped our defign, which
they cannot fail to do from the meafures to be taken, they
may improve the interval in adding to it •, and, by providing
materials and artificers upon the fpot, they may be able to
increafe it fo as to keep pace with us. It is therefore eafy to
fee that we ought not to be too fanguine in the fucc.efs of
this expedition, and that, if a moderate force be employed in
the defence of Niagara without degarnifning Quebec and the
intermediate pods, its rcduclion will be a very arduous talk.
The body of troops to penetrate by way of the river Saint
Francis mud meet with great obdacles : they will have a
march of about a hundred and fifty miles from Cohofs, which
is about a hundred and fixty miles beyond Hartford, a great-
part of which is through a hitherto-uninhabited and tracklefs
country, with an immenfe train of waggons: all the (lores
and provifions for the whole march, and the future fupply of
the troops, at lead till they fiiould get footing in Canada,
mud accompany them from the beginning. The impedi
ments and delays in fuch a march aimod exceed conception.
When arrived at the Saint Laurence, frefli obdacles proba
bly would prefent themfelves. The prefumption is, that, if
the enemy could not make head there, they would defolate the
country through which they were to .pafs, dedroy all the
pvovifion and forage, remove every kind of water craft, and
demolish the materials for building others. Thefe precau
tions beino taken on the Sorelle and Saint Laurence would
pretty effectually obdruct our progrefs both to Montreal and
Cadoroqui, — to fay nothing of the rapidity of the current
and the numerous rifts between Montreal and Lagalette.
When we deliberately confidsr all the obdacles in the exe
cution, and the diilicuities v/e flia'll find in preparing the vaft
o, magazine*
OFFICIA.L LETTERS. 557
magazines required, which have been already enumerated,
if within the compafs of our refources, \ve fhall be led to
dunk it not very improbable that this body may be unable to
penetrate Canada, at leall in time to co-operate with the
French troops, if a co-operation mould be neceflary. The
fituation of thefe troops then would be delicate and dan
gerous : — expofed to a defeat from the united force of the
enemy, in great danger of having their retreat cat ofF'by a
fuperior naval force in the river, they would have every
thing to fear. On the other hand, if our operations mould
be as fuccefsful as we may flatter ourfelves, a temped or a
Briiifh fleet may deprive us of the expected aid ; and at a criti
cal moment we may find ourfelves in the bofom of an enemy's
country, obliged to combat their whole force with one in
ferior and reduced by a tedious and wafting march. The
five thoufand men, when th -y arrived in Canada, would pro
bably little exceed four capable of fervice j and would be Hill
lefs, if out of them we mould eftablifh pods as we advanced,
to infure a retreat and protect efcorts of provifi'on which muft
follow for future fupport. Thus an accident in either cafe
would involve the defeat of the whole project ; and the cata-
flrophe might be attended with the moft unhappy confequen-
ces to America.
The plan propofed appears to me not only too extenfive
and beyond our abilities, but too complex. To fucceed, it
requires fuch a fortunate co-incidence of circumitances as
could hardly be hoped, and cannot be relied on ;— -the de
parture of the enemy from thefe Hates, without which we
cannot furnifh the ftipuiated force, or fupplies to maintain
them, — fuch a want of power or want of forefight in the
enemy as will oblige them to neglect the reinforcement of
Halifax and of Canada, and prevent them, however conve
niently fituated, from disputing the pafiage of the four (hips
of the line and four frigates up the river Saint Laurence, or
attempting their deitru&ion afterwards, — fuch a combination
of favorable incidents as will enable feveral bodies acting fe-
A a 3 parately
358 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
parately and independently by fea and land, and from differ?*
ent countries, to conform to times and periods fo as to in<-
fure a cQ-pperation ; — thefe and many other circumftances
limit confpire, to give fuccefs to the enterprife.
Congrefs, I am perfuaded, had powerful reafons for fixing
the convoy at the number they have : and their fuperior in
formation refpecling the affairs of Europe at this juncture
enables them to judge much better than I can pretend to do,
of its fufficiency, But, from the imperfect view I have of the
matter, I have been led, jn conildering the fubje6t? to look
upon it as insufficient. From the general tenor of intelligence,
the English out-number the French in the channel ; in Ame
rica, both on the continent and in the iilands, they are great
ly fuperior. If the lail Toulon fleet is employed in the Me
diterranean, the French may have the fuperiority there : but,
upon the whole, the balance of naval force feems hitherto to
be on the iide of the Eiigljih. If we add to this that the mini-
. ber of fhips of war in the French ports, built or building,
bears no companion to the number in the Ertiglkh ports,—-*
and that Britain, notwithstanding the diminution {he has fuf-
fcred, is ftill a kingdom of great maritime refources, — we
iliall be difpoled to conclude that the preponderance is too
likely to continue where it is. The interpofition of Spain
indeed would make a very interefting change : but her back-
\vardneis heretofore feems to be an argument that me is with
held from interfering by fome weighty political motives :
and how long thefe may continue to reft rain her, is a quef-
tion I am unqualified to determine.
Befidcs thefe general objections to the plan which have
been ftated, there appear to me to be fome particular ones
which I lliall take the liberty to point out.
Iu the tirft place I obferve there are to be five thoufand
militia employed in the two expeditions againft Detroit and
Niagara. — The drawing into fervice fo large a number corn-
poled chiefly of hufbandmen, in addition to what may be
£ound necelfary for other exigencies on the coaft at fo inter
efting
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 359
efting a feafon of the year, will certainly be very injurious
to the culture of our lands, and muft tend to add to the defi
ciency of fupplies. But this, though not to be overlooked, is
not the principal objection. — In the expedition againft De
troit, militia perhaps may anfwer, as it is not a poft-of very
great ftrength, and may poflibly be abandoned on or in a little
time after the approach of a force that cannot be oppofed in the
field, and the garrifon proceed to reinforce that (of Niagara.
But even here troops of another kind would be far prefer
able. However, the ,cafe will be very different with refpecTt
to this laft : — it is, as I have before mentioned, one of the
flrongeft fortrefTes of America, and demands for its reduc
tion the very heft of troops. Militia have neither patience
<nor perfeverance for a liege. This has been demonftrated
by all the experience we have had. An attempt to carry on
.one which fhould materially depend on them would be liable
to be fruftrated by their inconftancy in the moft critical mo-
•rnents. — Agreeable to the 'plan under confideration, three
•thoufand five hundred put of five thoufand fix hundred are to
be militia.
It is a pait of the plan that the troops fent againft Detroit.,
whether fuccefsful or not, are to form a junction with thofe
at Niagara. It appears to me on the contrary, that the ex
pedition againft Detroit, under tfye prefent arrangement, muft
Hand on its own bottom, and have no other object than the
reducing that place and deftroying the adjacent Indian fettle-
rnents. Lake Erie is .certainly occupied by two armed vef-
fels of fixteen and eighteen guns, and, it is faid, by five ,or fix
others of fmaller fize, having two^ thre.e, or four guns each,
which, while the enemy hold Niagara, will prevent the com
munication of our troops by way of the lake, — to fay no
thing of the want .of batteaux for tranfportation. A com
munication by .land muft be performed through an extent of
;nore than four hundred miles, and a great part of this at
jeaft under many difadvantages of route, and through tribe,s
•pf hoftile Indians.
A a 4 j\!v
360 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
My knowledge of the country is not {efficiently accurate
to enable me to difcover the reafons which determined Con-
grefs to divide the force deflined againfl Niagara, and to ap
point the march of one body from Ononguaga to that place.
It feems to me however that this difpofition might be fubjedl
to one great inconvenience, which is, that, if each column be
not fuperior to the whole collective force of the enemy, they
rifk being beaten feparately and fucceffi vely, befides the trou
ble and expenfe of preparing as it were for two expeditions
inflead of one, — of opening two roads infiead of one,— and
the uncertainty of a co-operation (if no difarler mould hap
pen to either) at the moment when it might be neceflary.
The inquiries I have as yet had it in my power to make are
oppofed to the practicability of conveying cannon in the
route from Ononguaga to Niagara, or at leatr, place it as a
point infinitely doubtful : and, without cannon, nothing can
be erFedled againft that port. Upon the whole, the great
matter effential to fuccefs againft Niagara is to fubdue the
enemy's force on lakes Erie and Ontario, particularly the
latter. This once done, and the garrifon by that means cut
ofF from its fupplies, the tort will be likely to fall an eafy
prey. Here our efforts mould be directed : nor do I at pre-
fcnt perceive the purpofes to be anf\vered by the body go
ing from Ononguaga, unlefs the devaluation of the interme
diate Indian villages be die object, — which perhaps may not
be equal to the rifk, labor, and expenfe, and the more fo as
they would fall of conrfe if we mould fucceed in the general
operation.
The cantoning five thoufand troops this winter on Con
necticut-river, under our prcfent proipects, will, in my opi
nion be impracticable, and, in any cafe, unadvifable — When
I had the honor of writing to Congrefs in September lafb on
the fubject of a winter campaign into Canada, I had been led
by [colonel] Bailey, and other gentlemen acquainted with the
•country, to expect that very confiderable magazines of pro-
vilions might be laid up on the upper parts of that river.
But
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 361
But it appears on experiment that their zeal for the expedi
tion made them too fanguine in the matter. The purchaies
fall far, very far ihort of what was expcdled. The difficul
ties of tranfportation, as reprefented by the quarter-mailers
and commiiHiries, fupported by fads that fpeak for themidves,
are fo great and complicated that I ihould have no hope of
being able, from remote parts of the continent, to throw in
the quantity requiiite for fubfi fling thefe troops during the
winter, and at the fame time of forming the magazines which
would be neceffary to profecute the expedition in fpring.
We may be endeavoring to form the magazines : but the
troops cannot be on the fpot this winter ; otherwise they
will exhauil the provition as fail as it can be collected. — •
The fame objection applies to the'ftationing troops on rhe
Mohawk-river.
In eftimating our force for the next campaign, it is to be
confidered that upwards of four thoufand of the preient army
will have completed their term of fervice by the laft of May
next, and thut a great proportion of the remainder will have
done the fame about the clofe of the enfuing fall, uulefs they
can be induced to re-engage, — of which the ill iuccefs of oiir
prefcnt exertions to enliil thofe whole engagements are about
to expire affords but an unfavorable proipect. This and the
general temper of die officers, dillatisiied much with their
iituation, will fuggcft a itrong argument againil the exteniive
projects in contemplation.
In whatever point of light the fubjecl is placed, our abi
lity to perform our part of the contrail appears to me in
finitely too doubtful and precarious to juftify the undertaking.
A failure, as I have already obfervt-d, would involve con-ie-
quences too delicate and difagreeable to be hazarded. But,
at the fame time that my judgment is againil this, I am
clearly of opinion that we ihould attempt every thing that
our circumilances will permit : but, as the extent of our
power mufb be regulated by many pofr.bie events, I would
vviih to hcL! ourfeives free to act accord ing to either pofii-
biiity,
g6a GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
jbility, and as a clearer view of our future refources may au»
jthorife. — If the enemy entirely leave thefe ftates, it will pro
duce a vaft change in our affairs ; and new profpe&s mav
open, of which we can at prefent have but a very imperfect
Idea. It wpuld be a great ftep towards raifmg the value of
'our money, which would give a new fpring to our military
/operations. — We may be able to undertajke much more than
we can now forefee.
If the enemy attempt to keep poft? in thefe ftates, a pri*
niary obje6t wiU be to expel them, if in pur power : - if not,
\ve muft make proper provifion to bar their depredations, and
muft turn pur attention to the fecurity of our frontiers, by
purfuing fuch meafures as mall be within trje reach of our
abilities. — Though we may not be able to launch into fo
wide a field as we could wifh, fomething upon a more par-
|ial fcale may be enterprifed. Detroit and Niagara may per
haps be reduced, though Canada may not be an acceffion to
£he confederacy. — With a view to what is poflible, prepara
tions may be going on, and we can make fuch an application
of them as we mail rind practicable.
As there is no time to be loft in doing this, I (hall give the
jiecefTary orders fo far as relates to the article of provifion,
•which indeed has been already done in part. Magazines of
forage, materials for boat and fhip building, and other ar
ticles, muft alfo be provided, — which will depend on the
final arrangements and more definitive inftruclions of Conr
grcfs. Thefe rneafures will be necefTary to be taken whe
ther the prefent plan is carried on, or whether fomething lefs
exteniive, depending wholly on ourfelves, is fubftitutcd in its
place.-— I ihall wait the further orders of Congrefs for the
government of my conduct in delivering the plan to the mar
quis as their refolutipn feems to require, or in tranfmitting it
Immediately to doclor Franklin as the letter from the com
mittee feems to direcl. At prefent I am under fome doubt
concerning the intention of Congrefs in this particular.
I have the honor to be, &c, G* W,
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 363
P. S. I (hall ufe every means in my power to obtain intel
ligence in the points mentioned in the refolution of the twen?
ty-fixth ultimo, and had taken meafures for the purpofe with
refpedfc to Canada before. — Mr. Livingfton, an officer in the
corps of guards, will have the honor of prefenting thefe dif-
patches to your excellency. Their importance requiring
more than a common meffenger, he very obligingly under"
upon application, to give them a fafe conveyance.
SIR, Head-Quarters^ Frcderlcjburg, Nov* 12, 1778,
INCLOSED I have the honor to tranfmit the copy
pf a letter from brigadier -genera) Hamilton to general Heath.
I did not c.hufe to grant the requeft without the concurrence
of Congrefs, though at tfye fame time 1 think it may be fafely
done. It will fave the trouble and expenfe of another efcort
at a future day.— I fhall be glad of the determination of
Congrefs as fpeedily as poflible, as the flag veffel, bound to
Virginia with the baggage of the convention troops, will
perhaps be detained for the anfwer.
I have the honor to be, <kc. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Frcdericjlurgi Nov. 13, 1778.
BARON De Steuben will have the honor of deliver
ing you this. He waits upon Congrefs on the fubjecl: of the
infpe&orftiip, which he is extremely anxious (hould be put
upon fome decided footing. He appears to be fenfible of
fome difficulties in the plan formerly propofed, and which I
had the honor fome time iince to tranfmit my obfervations
upon, — and defirous that they fliould not prove an obilruc-
{ion to the progrefs o'f an inflitution, which, if accommodat
ed to the circumftances and fentiments of the army, promifes
very great advantages to the iervice. The fuccefs the baron
had in the beginning, and the benefits derived from it, make
me rcgi'ct the obftacles that have fo long fufpended his exer
tions ;
3% GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
tions ; and I fiiouM wiih he may have it in his power to re-
fume them on principles mofl advancive of the fcrvice. On
thel'e i have already fully communicated my ideas, and it is
unnecefTary I iljould add.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. V/.
SIR, JJead-Qii.artcn,FrcdcncJburg, Nov. 14, 1778.
I DO myfelf the honor to tranfmit you the copy of a
letter of the tenth inftant, which I received yeftcrday from
iir Henry Clinton, on the lubject of exchanging the prifoners
of the convention. — Should the propofition be agreeable to
Con^refs, I Ihali Be glad to receive powers to enter into a
negotiation as foou as pofnble, as it may probably relieve
cur officers upon parole from the disagreeable neceflity of
returning to NVv-York. I will juft cbferve, that, mould
an exchange take place upon the terms propoled by fir
Henry, I mould fuppofe we fuall not be obliged to give up
any confiderable number of privates by way of compofition,
as the officers of the convention (mould the whole be fufFer-
ed to be exchanged) would go a great way towards liberat
ing: ours at prefent in the hands of the enemy. But it cannot
0 i
be expected thr.t they will leave their troops entirely deftitute
of officers. — Ivlr. commirTary Clark, mentioned by fir Henry
Clinton, was permitted by general Heath to go from Boflou
to New-York to fettle the accounts and procure money for
the difcharge of the debts ot the troops at Cambridge.
1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SlR, Head-Quarter.^ Trcdcrlcjburg, Nov. 16, 1778.
I HAD the honor of receiving your favor of the fixth
yefterday, with the inclofed copy of a lettef from the pie-
fident of the council of New-Jeiiey, relative^ to an expected
attack upon the weilern frontier of that jfla^e. — I have juft
received a letter -from general Hand giving intcrki^ence of an
attack
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 365
attack upon colonel Alclcn's regiment at Cherry-V alley, ef
fected by furprife, in confecjucnce of which, there is too
much reafon to apprehend that regiment may fall a facrifice.
I tranfmit a copy of the difpatches announcing this difagrec-
able affair.
Theie depredations of the enemy give me the mod ferious
concern. I lament that we have not yet had it in our power
to give them an effectual check. I am perfectly convinced
that the only certain way of preventing Indian ravages is to
carry the war vigorouily into their own country. But as
tin's is thought impracticable at this late fcafon of the year
from the ftate of the water, and other impediments, I fear we
mud content ourfelves with defenfive precautions for the pre-
ient. — I have already informed Congrefs that colonel Cort-
lanch's regiment had marched towards the Minifmks : but,
having- imce directed count Pulafki to proceed with his corps
tn Colesfort in that neighborhood, colonel Cortlandt will
take poft fomewhere between that place and Rochefier.
Orders are now given to colonel Spencer's regiment and co
lonel Armand's corps to join general Pulafki. — This difpofi-
tion is agreeable to the opinion of governor Clinton and other
gentlemen acquainted with the country whom I have confult-
ed, and is calculated to cover the eaflern frontier of Pennfyl-
vania, NTcw-Jerfey, and the weftern part of New- York. — I
ilia 11 alfo immediately fend the remainder of general Clin
ton's brigade to Albany. When arrived there, if any thing
offenfive can pofiibly be undertaken, it (hall be done : if not,
they will be difpofed of in a manner that (hali feern heft:
adapted for protection and defence.
With the greateft rcfpcct and eflcem, I am, fir, you mod
obedient fervant, G. W.
SlR, Head- Quarters , Ft cHi: .- : 't/lh r* , No y. 1 6 , I y ; 8 .
BY the time this reaches you, general Du Portail
will probably be at Philadelphia. O:;s -iinefs
is
566 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
fs to profecute the directions given him fome time lince for
forming a plan for the defence of the river Delaware, to be
fubmitted to Congrefs : another part is to underftand from
Congrefs what may be their views and willies with reipe£l
to his further continuance in America, and that of the three
other gentlemen attached to him.
He informs me that the furlough he obtained from the
court of France expires in February next, and that, unlefs
there is a certain profpect of his being employed hereafter
In a manner ufeful to the ftatcs and honorable to himfelf, he
intends immediately to return. He therefore wifhes fome
explicit ideas to be realifed on the fubjecl:. He is alfo anxious
that fomething definitive fhould be done with refpect to the
pay and the other appointments both of himfelf and the other
gentlemen with him, which have been hitherto undecided,
and have left them in an uncertain and difagreeable fituation.
— Added to this, he is delirous to have fome arrangement
£xed for the rules and manner of fervice in his department.
He delivered me, fome days fuice, a memorial intended for
Congrefs, and which I have now the honor to Jnclofe, con
taining his ideas on a general fyftem of fortification for thefe
Hates, and which he requeiled me to accompany with my
fentiments. But it includes queftions of finance and conii-
derations of policy the niofl: extenfive and important, of
which Congrefs alone can form a competent judgment. I
{hall therefore only fay, that, conlidered merely in a military
point of view, the plan appears to me worthy of very ferious
attention.
It is but juftice to general Du Portail to obferve that I have,
a high opinion of his merit and abilities, and eileem him not
only well acquainted with the .particular branch he profefTes,
but a man of found judgment and real knowledge in military
fcience in general. I have alfo a very favorable opinion of the
other gentlemen. I will take the liberty to add that it appears
to me they will be extremely neceflary and ufeful in our fu
ture operations, whether directed to oifence or defence,—
7 whether
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 367
whether to difpoiTefs the enemy of pofts in our front, to affift
in carrying on the propofed expedition into Canada, or any
other on a lefs extenfive plan which may be fubftituted in its
ftead for the mere fecurity of our frontier.
Monfieur De Murnon has ferved in quality of engineer
under general Du Portail fmce the firft of March laft, with
the promife of a majority from the committee of arrange*
ment at Valley-Forge. He has never yet received his com-
million. This, I prefume, has been forgotten in a crowd of
more important affairs. — With the greateft refpecl: and eR-eem,
1 have the honor to be, 5cc. G. W-
SlR, Head -Quarters, Fredericfburg, Nov. 18, 1778-.
COUNT Kolhowfki, who will have the honor of
delivering you this, is a Polifti officer who is defirous of en
tering into our fervice. I inclofe your excellency two letters
in his favor from doctor Franklin and Mr. Deane \ added t<>
which, he is recommended to me by count Pulaiki as a
brave and ufeful officer who ferved under him in Poland.
He wimes him to be placed in his legion, with the rank of
captain and the pay of lieutenant,'— to perform the duties of
the latter till he can give proofs of his talents and obtain fome
other employ. — 'With very great cftcem and rcfpecl:, I have
the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters, Fredericfburg^ Nov. 2O, 1778.
Mr. Wheelock will have the honor of prefenting this
letter to your excellency. He waits on Congrefs upon the
affairs of a regiment tinder the command of colonel Bedel,
which, it feems, was raifed in the Cohofs county, or atleaft
has been kept up fmce March laft upon the recommendation
of the marquis Fayette when at Albany. This corps, ac
cording to the inclofed ft ate by Mr. Wheelock who is the
Jieutenimt colonel, to which I beg leave to refer Concrete,
and
36$ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
and according to other information I have received, was at
firft alTemblfd under the dirc&ion of major-general Gates
about this time twelvemonth lor the purpofe of. a fudclen en-
terpriie againft Saint John's, and the enemy's armed veflels ly
ing there, and was engaged till -the lall of March.
I cannot undertake to lay in what manner or how ufefully
this regiment has been employed, or to what extent in point
of men. Bui: Mr. Wheelock fays it has been of great fervice :
and the object of his prefent journey is to obtain the direc
tion of Congrefs for their being paid when proper rolls are
produced, and their determination whether it is to be diiband-
ed now, or continued till April next, the period for which the
men are laid to have engaged, though the marquis's recom
mendation extended only to the end of the prefent campaign.
The regiment may or may not be neceffary in future. —
Much will depend on the fyflem of conduct the enemy pur-
fue the next campaign, and on our own operations. I would
obferve, under its prefent engagement, its fervices were to he
local, or at lead confined to a certain quarter. If it ihould be
deemed expedient to re-cnlift it, — if practicable, it lliould be
done on the general ft. ale of a cling wherever it may be re-
quifite (though peiliaps it may not be pofiible to accomplilh
it) : and, in luch caie, it will alto be material for the public
to have a more perfedl knowledge of its arrangements than
•what I apprehend it has hitherto had.
1 have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarters* Frcdcrlcjlurg, Nov. 21, 17/8.
I HAD the honor of your excellency's t\vo favors of
the fourteenth and fifteenth inftant, with their feveral inclofures.
-—The confederation ofcloclorConoily's cafe, with the refolu-
tion of Congrefs, I have tninfmitted to fir Heniy Clinton.
In mv letter of the (ixteenth I communicated to your ex
cellency the attempt on Fort-Alden by the favages. — I have
ilnce received the incloied diipatches confirming that dif-
agreeablc
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 369
agreeable account. — I alfo informed Congrefs at the fame time
of the fleps which were taken for the iecurity of the fron
tier of Pennfylvania, New-Jerfey, and the weftern part of
New- York, — and that the two remaining regiments of ge
neral Clinton's brigade were ordered to Albany.
I have to regret that the condition of affairs is fuch as does
not admit of a compliance with repeated detachments from
this army. However^ that every thing poflible might be done
under our prefent circumftances, general Hand was further
inftru&ed on the fixteenth inftant to confer with general
Schuyler at Albany, and with thofe perfons in that part of the
country who could in any manner aflift in forming his judg
ment on jhe bed meafures to be purfued with the troops
which were employed in the feveral quarters : and yejfterday
1 changed his command to that of the Miniilnksj and for
warded him an extract from colonel Hartley's letter of the
ninth, that he might accommodate his difpofitions to recent
events. I have only to add on this fubjecl:, that, on the twen
tieth, brigadier-general Clinton fet out to take the command
at Albany, with directions to confult with general Hand, and
to form with him fuch combined arrangements as may appear
moft confident with their united flrength.
I am, fir, with great refpe6t, &c. G. W.
P. S. As the troops of the convention are approaching the
North-river, I am throwing over a part of the army in order
to form a line of pofts parallel to their march^ for the greater
fecurity of the feveral pafTes leading to the river.
S I R, Head- Quarters, Frederic/burg, Nov. 23, 1778.
JOHN Temple, efquire, will have the honor of pre*
fenting this to your excellency. I do not know what Mr*
Temple's views are : but it feems he has feme application to
make to Congrefs. I never had till now the pleafure of a per-
fonal acquaintance with him : but, from the terms in which
Mr. Bowdpin fpeaks of him, as your excellency will perceive
by the inclofed letter, — and from other recommendations I
Vox,. II. B b have
GhNRRAL WASHINGTON'S
have • m. I conlider him as a gentleman offeiiiV ami
'Vcirm attachment to the rights of his country,
for whirls hd appears to have furred greatly in the p. relent
-! him: the honor to he, &t\- G. W.
Head-Quarter*, Fyedericfbur?, Nov. 23, 2778.
YOUR excellency's letter of die eighteenth, with the
oicloftire referred to, came to hand ydrcrday,— 1 had hefove
received the intelligence contained in My. Deaners letccr,
in cBnfeqbenc'e made part of the detachments which have
been mentioned in my late letters. It is highly probable that
the late incurfions and <>utr:i£Y** \\ ere commitlL'd by the parties
comprehended in Mr. I>aners intelligence ; and I ihould
hoj)e that the force already gone from the army, together
with the feafon, will prevent them at lead from making fur-
fher great depredations.
Since I had the honor of addrefTing your excellency on the
twenty- firir, I received a letter from general Hand, of the
eighteenth, an extract from which you will find inclofed,
with copies of a letter from major Whiting and one from a
Mr, Clyde. Thefe will inform Congrefs, that, though the
ravages at the Cherry-Valley fettlement were great in the
hte attack by the fayages, yet our lofs was much lefs than
v/e had reafon to apprehend it from our former advices,
The account of the enemy's having flormcd the fort, and
cut o(F Alden's regiment, happily turns out premature. The
incloftire, N° 2, which is a copy of a letter from lord Stir
ling, of the feventeenth, will advife Congrefs that the fleet of
tranfports, which had lain at the Hook for fome days before,
came up the preceding night to the watering-place, and alf?>
that fomc of the {hips cf war had returned to York difoiaft-
CJ. — .Your excellency will alfo fee by the inclofure, N° 3,
(which contains an extra cl: from a letter from general Sullivan,
of the eighteenth infrant}, the lateft advices I have refpecling
admiral Biron's fleet,— From the lofs of the Somcrfet, and thefe
federal accounts, they fufFered feverely in dieir late cruife,
November
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 371
November 24. — I jiilt received from general Hand the in-
clofcd petition from major Whifcomb, addrerled to Congrefs,
and his letter to general Hand, of the fame date. My infor
mation refpefting the corps under major Whitcomb's com
mand has hitherto been very imperfect ; and even now I
do not know the terms on which it was engaged : nor had;
I, till thefe letters came to hand, any reafon to think that the
troops above hud not all been equally paid, — having lent up
a fupply of money for the purpofe faon after I came to this*
camp, and autimrifed the paymafter-getteral a few days ago
to forward a further quantity. — I mail immediately write to
general Clinton, now on his way to Albany, to fend a proper'
officer to mtifter the corps, and alib three companies (which
he calls provincials) under his direction, faid to be engaged
to the firft of next month ; — after which, both will be paid
on his prefenting proper rolls. — With refpecl to clothing, the
only application I recollecl. to have had from major Whit-
comb was anfwered with fuch fuppiies, both in quantity and
quality, as our {lores at the time would admit of. It may
perhaps be practicable hereafter to put his corps on a better
footing in this inftance.
The alarm which major Whitcomb fpeaks of in the be
ginning of his letter to general Hand was occafioned (a^
Congrefs will perceive by a copy of another letter from him
to general Hand) by a defcent made by a body of the enemy in
the country about the fouth end of Lake Champlain, and who,
according to his report, have done coniidenible damage.
I directed general Du Portail fome time ago to take a
view of the works carrying on in the Highlands for the
defence of the North-river, and to make an eiiimate of the
cannon neceiTary for the purpofe. This lie did ; and, as he
is now at Philadelphia, 1 have w.ittca to him by this con
veyance, and requefted him to prefent the eftimate to Con
grefs. I am forry the number wanted is fo great, and the
more fo as I rind upon inquiry that the Salifhury furnace in
Connecticut, which ufed to cad fo many, is much out of re
pair, and could not poflibly b^ put in ovder, and in :i proper
B b 2 (late
yf+ GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
ftate for fupplies, before May. — The providing of cannon is
a matter of infinite importance; and I am pcrluaded Congrefs-
will take every means in their power to accomplifli it. Be-
Ikies the preflirig and ex ten five demand for the works on the*
North-river, we cannot extend our views too foon to the ob
taining further large fupplies. We muft in the courfe of
things have occaflon for a great deal of artillery : and, in
any enterprife we may undenake againft Canada, whether
on a large or a fmall fcaler feveral pieces of various calibers
will be abfolutely effential. Bdides arming the {hips, and
veffels we (hall be obliged to build to gain the navigation of
the lakes, our land operations- will require a great number.
A detachment of continental troops will conduct thofe of
the convention from the North-river to the Delaware. The
German batallion is to compofe part of the efcort : and, after,
the convention troops crofs to Pennfylvania, I have directed
it, in confequence of the intelligence trantVniited of late by
Congrefs refpedling the frontiers, to proceed to Eaflon with
all its baggage, where it is to wait till general Hand arrives
at the Mmifjnks, and whence it will be ready to a6l as cir-
cumftances may require. At the fame timer if thefe frequent
detachments from the army could be avoided,, it were much
to be wiihed. The troops will be by this means in a very
difpevled ftate ; and, befides lollng perhaps fome advantages
Tvhich mi^ht prefent themfelves it they were more collected,
their dilcipline will be greatly injured, and it will be ex
tremely difficult, from a variety of cauics, to draw them to-
gccher .-'.gsin : and, if it ihould be practicable, it is highly
probable we. (hall rinththeir number much impaired by .defer-
tiou and otherwise. — I have the honor to be, <kc- G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarter s> IS 01- ember 26, 1778*
Mrv John Dodge will have the honor of delivering,
fiis letter to your excellency. His hiilory is that lie is a na-
ti'vc of Connecticut, and about eight years ago, as he informs.
ikd in the country between Detroit and Pittfbunj as.
OFFICIAL LETTERS, 373
-an Indian trader ; — that he carried on commerce till January
1776, when, for his attachment to. our caufe and the mea-
lures he had taken to promote it, he became obnoxious to the
enemy, was feiml by order of the governor of Detroit, v,-as
thrown into prifon, and there continued till the beginning of
May lad, when he was lent to Quebec ; — that on the niiuh
of October he efcaped from thence and got into our fettle -
ments, through the aid of a French Caglmewaga who came
with him here on Friday lad.
I and Mr. Dodge an intelligent young man, intimately ac
quainted with all the tract of country between Pittfburg and
Detroit, and with that lying on Lake Eric, alfo with mod of
the favage tribes in thofe parts, and with their languages. He
is likewife well acquainted with the communication from
Fort-Stanwix to Ofwego and Niagara.
I believe Mr. Dodge's hiftory to be true ; and, from a va
riety of circumstances, I am perfuaded of his firm attachment
to us : and I would take the liberty to fugged to Gongrefs
that I think he may be of very important fervice to us in any
enterprife we may undertake in the weilern quarter, or againii
the force on Lake Erie or Lake Ontario, This coiiiidera-
tion, with that of his loffes and futFerings which I am inclin
ed to believe have been considerable, feems to make him wor-
ihy of notice and attention. — His information is good and
clear in feveral points which I know myfclf, and ia many
others, (from the manner in which lie delivered it) far ujpc-
rior and much more iatisfaclory than what 1 have been able
to derive from any other pcrfon. — 'As I have obferved before,
Mr. Dodge appears to me a valuable intelligencer ; and, if
Congrefs are plcafed to honor him with an opportunity, he
will give them an account of the pods of Detroit and Nia
gara when he left them, and of that at Michiiirnachinac, — of
the enemy's naval force on Lakes Eric and Ontario, and of
fuch other matters in Canada as he was able to inform him-
ielf of, cither by his own obiervation or the relation of others.
General Gates fupplicd Mr. Dodge with fome money ro
defray his expenfes from Boilon to this place, and I have
B b 3 advanced
374. GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
advanced him to-day a hundred and fifty dollars more to
carry him to Philadelphia.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P» S. Mr. Dodge means to call on major Butler of the
light troops, with whom he fays Pie is well acquainted. He
alfo fays he is extremely well acquainted with colonel Wood
of Virginia, — but he is not in camp i — and he vid'i j that he
was at Pittfburg in 1775, when doctor Walker, Mr. Wilfon,
and Lewis Morris efquire, were there as commiflioners,
and engaged at that time to life his influence to keep the
favages quiet, &c.
SIR, Head-^-uat tersy Frederic/bur^ Nov. 27, 1778.
I WAS yefterday honored with your favor of the
twentieth, with its feveral inclofures. — Congrefs will be
pleafed to accept my acknowledgments for the communica
tion of the treaties between his moft chrHlian majeity and
the United States. — The refolve refpecHng the exchange of
prifoners has been" tranfmitted to fir Henry Clinton, and
I have appointed commiflioners (if he thinks proper) to
meet his at Amboy the fcventh of next month,
I have the pleafure to inform Congrefs that the whole
army (one brigade and the light corps excepted) is now in
motion to the places of their refpecHve cantonments for
winter-quarters. I have thought it prudent to delay this
event a while, 'to give time for the convention troops to
make feme progrefs in croffing the North-river, to prevent
a poflibility of accident. The third divifion paries this day ;
and, if no unexpected interruption happens, the whole will
be over, the thirtieth inftant. When their paflage is com
pleted, the remaining troops kept in the field will imme
diately, retire to quarters.
The difpofition for winter-quarters is as follows. — Xiuf
brigades will be Rationed on the weft fide of Hudfon's river,
exclufive of the garrifon at Weil-Point, — one of which (the
North-Carolina brigade) will be near Smith's Clove for the
fecurjty of that pafs, and as a reinforcement to
OFFICIAL L-ETTERS. 375
in c.P.fc of necc-ffity; another (the JeiTey brigade.) will be at
Klizabethtown, to cover the lower part of Jerfcy ; and the
oLhcr fcven,, confifung of the Virginia, Maryland, Dela
ware, and Pennsylvania troops, will be at Middlebrool;. —
Six brigades will be left on the call fide of the river and at
Weit-IVi-it ; — three of v/hich (of the Mafiachufetts troops)
will be Rationed for the immediate defence of the High
lands ; one at Weft-Point in addition to the gar ri foil already
there ; and the other two at Fifhkill and the Continental
Village. — The remaining three brigades, compofed of the
New-Hampfliire and Connecticut troops, and Hazen's regi
ment, will be pofted in the vicinity of Danbury, for the
protection of the country lying along the Sound, to cover
our magazines lying on Conneclicut-iivcr, and ,to aid the
Highlands on any ferious movement of the enemy that way.
-—The park of artillery will be at Fluckemin. — The cavalry
v, u! be difpofed of thus :— Eland's regiment at Winchefter
in Virginia, Baylor's at Frederic or Hagarilown in ft
land, Moylan's at Lancailer in Pcnnfylvania, and Sheldon's
at Durham in Connecticut. Lee's corps will be with that
part of the army which is in the Jerfeys acting c.
vanced polls. — This comprehends the general diftribution of
the army, except Clinton's brigade of New- York troops,
Pulalki's corps, • and feme detached regiments and corps
ihitioned at Albany and at different parts of the frontier,
of which Congrefs have already been particularly advifed.
— General Putnam will command at Danbury, General
M'Dougai in the Highlands, and my own quarters will be
in the Jerfeys, in the neighborhood of Middhbr; .•>]:.
This difpofition appeared to nje beft calculated to coiici-
Jiatc as far as poihble thefe /everal objec~ts,-7-the protection
of the country, the fecurity of the important polls in the
Highlands, the fafety, difcipUne, and eafy fubfiilence of
the army. — To Iiavu kept the troops in a colledied iiate
would have increaied infinitely the expenfe and difficulty of
fubfiiting them, both with refpedl to forage and proviiions :
to have divided them into fmaller cantonmcir.s v/oujd have
B b 4 made
376 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
made it far lefs practicable to maintain order and difcipline
among them, and would have put them lefs in a condition
to control and-prevent offenfive operations on the fide of the
enemy, or to affemble to take advantage of any favorable
opening which their future fituation may- offer, fhould they
be obliged to weaken themfelves by further detachments fo
far as to invite an enterprife againft them.
By the eftirnate of the quarter-mailer and commifFary-<
general, it appears indifpenfabie to have the principal part
of the army on the other fide of the North-river. It was
thought impracticable to furnifh the necefTary fupplies of ilour
for the whole, on this fide the river, from the inimenfe dim>
culty and expenfe of tranfportation in the winter feafon, and
from the exhaufted ftate of the country with relpe& to forage.
— As this fubjecl: has been already fully before Congrefs, J
ihall not trouble them with a repetition of the detail. — In
order as much as pofllble to reduce the demand of forage
and facilitate the fupplies, I have given directions, when the
feveral diviiions arrive at their cantonments, to fend away to
convenient places at a diftance from them all the horfes net
abfolutel.y requifite to carry on the ordinary bufmefs of the
army.
It is unnecefTary to add that the troops muft again havs
recourfe to the expedient of hutting «as they did laft
year. But, as they are now well clad, and we have had
more leifure to make fome little preparations for winter*
quarters, I hope they will be in .a more comfortable fituation
than they were in^ the preceding winter.— With the highest
vefpecl; and eiteem, I have the honor to be, &c. Q. W.
SIR, Eiizcbcthiowny. December 4,
BETWEEN Fredericfourg and this place where I
arrived yeilerday afternoon, I had the honor to receive your
excellency*s feveral favors of the twenty-fixth, twenty-
feventh, and twenty-eighth, in due order, with their feveral
inclpfures, which (hall have my attention. My being on
OFFICIAL LETETRS. ' 377
the road from the time of their coming to hand till yefterday
prevented me from acknowledging them before.
As many inconveniences would attend the removing of
the Hck officers and men of the convention troops by land,
and the officers haying families, I have written to general
Gates to permit them to proceed to the falls of James'-river
by water, on the officers' giving their paroles that they and
the men will perform the voyage. 1 have alfo acquainted
him of the meeting in contemplation for an exchange of
prifoners, that the officers may not, leave' Bofton till the
refult is known.
With refpecT: to major De Pattern of the regiment of
Hefle-Hanau, I hope he may be relenfed by an exchange;
after which, it will remain with him to obtain liberty from
fir Henry Clinton to return to Europe. But if the exchange
in agitation mould not take place, I fliould be happy if
Congrefs themfelves would decide whether he is to be al
lowed his requeft. — If on my permiffion he fliould go to
Europe without application to and the confent of the Britifh
commander (which feems to be his intention), the enemy
might not think themfelves bound upon a future occafion to
account for him. — I have the honor to be, £c. G, W.
SIR, ElizabethtowJiy December 5, 1778.
I HAVE the honor toaddrefs you by command of his
excellency, who went from this place at four o'clock this
morning in confequence of advice received hit night that
fifty-two veffels great and fmall, including a bomb- ketch,
with troops on board, had, the day before yederday, moved
up the North-river as far as Cloyfter-laiKling, and ycfcerday
morning got under way and were proceeding farther up.
He prcpofcd to make his firfl -flage at Acquake-nu'nk, and to
proceed as his future intelligence might require. He is
much at a lofs to determine the defign of the enemy, but
thinks it may either have refpeft to the forts in the High
lands or to the convention trqops.,
8 Whea
3?8 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
When lie left Peckfkill, the two Maflachufetts brigades,
on their march thither from Hartford, were not arrived, fo
that the troops on the fpot were only flie original gnrrifon
or Weft-Point, and Nixon's brigade which lay near the
Continental Village : but, without the moil inexplicable de
lay, thofe muft have reached their deilination fome days
fince. If fo, and the enemy (hould meditate a firoke againil
Weft-Point, they will probably fail in it unlefs then:
{hould be fomething like afurprife. — The general alfo thinks
it probable that the Maryland divifion were yefterday even
ing at the Clove. Their in ft ructions were, to communicate
with Weft-Point and reinforce it on any emergency. They
were, in addition to them, directed laft night by exprefs to
move immediately towards the forts, diveiied of baggage
and artillery, for the more fpeedy communication. — The
Carolina brigade has been fome time ftatkmed at the entrance
of the Clove.
One brigade of the Virginia troops is at Pcmpton, and
the other two were expected to reach Springfield yeiterdav.
The Pennfylvania troops, it is fuppofcd, would be at Ac-
-quakenunk or in the neighborhood of Paiamus. — llieie
troops, immediately on receiving the prefent intelligence,
•were ordered to halt j and his excellency is gone forward to
regulate their movements according to circumftances. — The
brigade in this town is ordered to hold itfeif in rcadinefs.
If the convention troops fliould be their object, 'tis pro
bable the attempt will be too late to anfwer any purpofe ;
the rear divifion was to crofs the North- river on wednefday
lad, but muft certainly have done it on thuriday ; the
front muft be not far from the Delaware •, and the whole
too far advanced to be fubject to a refcue. Added to this,
there is a pretty ftrong guard with each divifion. His ex
cellency however has fent on the intelligence to colonel
Bland who directs their march, urging him to haften them
forward with all poflibie difpatch.
One brigade of Connecticut troops was at Danbury, the
other at Frcdericfburg, when we came away \ and general
2 Poor'*
OFFICIAL LETTERS. 379
Poor's was in full march for the former, and mud io:ig
fince have arrived.
I have the honor to be, &c. R, H. IJAP.RISON.
P. S. Your excellency will excufe this hurried fcrawi.
SIR, Paramus, December 7/1778,
I HAD the honor of receiving yours of the fecond
at this place. — I have forwarded the brevet to captain Si mo-
net ; and fhal! take fuch meafures in regard ' o colonel Fleu-
ry's letter as (hail fecm proper, upon my arrival at Middle-
brook for which 1 let out again to-morrow.
Upon leaving Elizabethtown I directed colonel Harrifon
to inform you of the intelligence I had received, and which
I thought demanded my perfonal attention, as the enemy
appeared to be going up the river in confiderable force.
Having put the troops deilined for the Middlebrook canton
ment upon their march back towards the North-river, I was
proceeding that way myfelf when an exprefs met me a few
miles beyond this, informing me that the enemy's (hipping,
which had been as high as King's ferry, had fallen down
:^ctin. They landed a party at the ferry, and fet fire to a
few fmall buildings near the water : but, upon a party of
ours advancing, they immediately [re- embarked] without
attempting any thing further. — The boats and {lores of every
kind had been previoufly fecurecl.-— I cannot account for this
rn-aiiceiivre but by fuppofmg that they had been mif-informed
... to the quantity of {tores at the ferry, or that they expected
to find the polls in a defenceless fituation ; or it may perhaps
'have been to favor a forage below.
Finding that the troops deftmed for the defence of the
Highlands had arrived at their refpective pofts agreeable
ro my orders and expectations, I have again put thofe in
tended for Middlebrook into motion ; and I hope they will
arrive there while the roads and weather are both fine.
Accounts from New-York through a good channel in
form me that thirty thoiiiand tons of mipping had been fud-
tfenly taken up for government fervice5 and that a general
embargo
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
embargo is laid. The occaficn ha-3 not yet tranfpired ; at
lead It has* not yet reached me.
I have the honor to be, &c. G, W.
SlR, Head-quarters^ Mid'd!cbrsokr Dec* 13, 1778.
SII\rCE my laft of the feventh, I have been honored
with your favors of the fifth, fixth, and eighth in (taut, with
their incloftires, to which the proper attention fhall be paid.
— I have made the report of the committee on Canada af
fairs the fiibje£fc of a particular letter which I have the ho-
nc>r of transmitting by this conveyance.
I ana,, with the greateft refpecl, &c. G. W.
P. S» Lieutenant-colonels Harrifon and Hamilton went to
Amboy on monday lafl to meet the Britifh commiirioners :
bat the weather had been fo extremely bad they that had
not met on friday*
Head- Quarters, Middldrcok) Dec. 13, 1778.
IT has not been in my pQwer to return an anfwer to
your favor of the fixth inftant till now. The letter met me
on the road, feparated from my papers \ and 1 did not reach
tlii' place till late on the eleventh, fmce which I have been
much employed in attending to the difpofitions for hutting
the army: but in the mean time the objects of the difpatch
have engaged my utmofl attention.
The earned defire I have to pay the (Iri&eft compliance
in every Inftance with the views and indruclions of Con-
grefs cannot but make me feel the greateft uncafinefs v/hen
J find myfelf in circumfcances of hefitation or doubt with re-
fpe'cl to their directions. But the perfecl: confidence 1 have
in the juilice and candor of that honorable body emboldens
me to communicate without rcferve the difficulties which
occur in the execution of their prefent order 5 and the indul
gence I have experienced on every former occafion induces
me to imagine that the liberty I now take will not meet witU
their disapprobation".
I Lavs
(OFFICIAL LETTERS. 381
I have attentively taken up the report of the committee of.
the fifth (approved by Congrefs) on the fubje£t of my letter
of the eleventh ultimo on the prppofed expedition into Ca
nada : I have considered it in feveral lights, and fincerely re
gret that I fliould feel myfelf under any embarraiFment in
carrying it into execution. Still I remain of opinion, from
n general review of things and the ftate of our refources, that
no extenfive fyfte-m of co-operation with the French, for the
complete emancipation of Canada, can be pofitively -decided
on for the enfuing year. — To propofe a plan of perfect co
operation with a foreign power without a moral certainty in
our fupplies, and to have that plan actually ratified with the
court of Verfailles, might be attended, in cafe of failure la
the conditions on our part, with very fatal effects.
If I fhould feem unwilling to tranfmit the plan as pre
pared by Congrefs, with my obfervations, it is becaufe I
find myfelf under a necefiity (in order to give our mlniftcr
fuilicient ground to found an application on) to propofe fome-
thing more than a vague and indecifive plan, which, even in
the event of a total evacuation of thefe Hates by the enemy,
may be rendered impracticable in the execution by a variety
of infurmountable obstacles : or if I retain my prefent fen-
timents and act: confidently, I mull point out the difficulties
as they appear to me; which mull embarrafs his negotiations,
and may difappoint the views of Congrefs.
But, proceeding on the idea of the enemy's leaving thefe
ftates before the active part of the enfuing campaign, I
fhould fear to hazard a mi (lake as to the precifc aim and
extent of the views of Congrefs. The line of conduct that
I am to obferve in writing to our minuter at the court of
France does not appear fufficiently delineated : — were I to
undertake it, 1 mould be much afraid of erring through mif-
conception. In this dilemma I would efteem it a particular
favor to be excufed from wiiting at all on the fubjcdl, efpe-
cially as It is the part of candor in me to acknowledge that
I do not fee my way clear enough to point out fuch a plan
for co-operation as I conceive to be coniiflent with the ideas
of
3$2 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S
of Congrefs, and that will be fufliciently explanatory with
refpcft to time and circumilances, to give efficacy to the
meafure. But if Congrefs Hill think it necefiary for me to
proceed in the buGnefs, I mud requeft their more definitive
and explicit inftructions, and that they will permit me, pre
vious to tranfmitting the intended difpatches, to fubmit
them to their determination.
I could wifh to lay before Congrefs more minutely the
fbite of the army, the condition of our fupplies, and the re-
quif.tes neceflary for carrying into execution an undertaking
that may involve the moil ferious events. If Congrefs think
this can be done more fatisfaftorily in a perfonal conference,
I hope to have the army in fuch a lltuation before I can re
ceive their anfwer, as to afford me an opportunity of giving
my attendance. — I would only add that I (hall cheerfully
comply with the directions of Congrefs relative to making
every preparation in our power for an expedition again ll
Niagara, and for fuch further operations to the northward
as time and circumhVances mall enable us to carry on. Mea-
fures for the purpofe have been taken in part for fome time
pail •, and I fliall purfue them vigorouily. The fubjecl; has
long engaged my contemplation ; and I am thoroughly con
vinced of the expediency and policy of doing every thing
practicable on our part, forgiving fecurity to our frontiers by
the reduction of thofe places which facilitate annoying them,'
and even for accomplifhing the annexation of Canada to the
Union. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
P. S. I have detained the letter to the marquis till your
further inftru&ions. The v/aters have been fo high as to
prevent the exprefs fetting out yeiierday with this difpatch
as was intended.
7o His Excellency^ JG!:>:. *^?y, Prejident of Congrcft*
- SIR, Head-£>uc'-tersy Mladlebrook, Dec. 13, 1778.
IN. a letter which I had the honor of receiving from
Congrefs, dated the fecond inihmt, was inclofed the copy of
onefrom lieutenant-colonel Fieury, upon the fubjecl of which,
the
OFFICIAL L E T T E '-
th.* prefulent defircd me to exprcfs u my feniiments, as alia
x>f die merits of Mr. Fleury during his fervices in the army."
I do not conceive that Congrefs fhould requeft a rei;
of colonel Flemy's furlough from the French minifter pleni
potentiary. An application of that kind ought, in my opinion,
to be made by himfelf, not only becauie it is euftomary, but
becaufe felicitations of a fimilar nature wo.uld in all proba
bility be made by many not having Mr. Fleury's claim to
the favor of the public, and to whom it would be difficult to
give a rcfufal after a precedent had been eftabliflied. I would
not be underftood to include the cafe of general Dn Portal!
and the gentlemen in the engineering department, who are
peculiarly circumstanced, and in whcfe behalf I have written
particularly to Congrefs.
As to Mr. Fleury 's merits as an officer, I can only repeat
what I have upon feveral occafions mentioned to Congrefs
before, — that he is brave, a olive, and intelligent, and that,
{hould he obtain leave to remain in America, I (hall take
an opportunity (agreeable to my promife to him) of em
ploying him in a manner fuitable to his rank, and in fuel*
a way as will not clafli with the officers of the line.
I have the honor to be, &c. G. W.
SIR, Head-Quarter s> Middlebrook, Dec. 1 6, 1778.,
SINCE I had the honor of adclrefTtng you on the
iliinoenth, the gentlemen appointed to meet cpmmiflioh-
crs from fir Henry Clinton have returned to camp. Your
excellency will find, by a copy of their report, N° 7, (which,
with the other papers refpe<5Hng the meeting, is inclofed),
that an exchange of prifoners has not taken place.
As an exchange has not been edecled, and fir Henry Clin
ton has called for all our officers on parole, I fhall, in confe-
cjuence of the refolution of the nineteenth ultimo, order the
commiflTary of prifoners to require tlie immediate return of
the convention and any other officers with the enemy on
parolq. I do not mean however Lo include general Bur-
goyne
3*4 GENERAL WASHINGTON'S, &c.
goyne in the demand unlefs Congrefs (liould direcl it, as1
there appear to me many political reafons for permitting
him to remain in Britain in his prefent temper. But if
Congrefs fhoukl differ from me in opinion on this point, I
ihati be happy to be informed, that meafures may be purfued
for his recall. — I have the honor to be, &c. G. W*
SlR, ' Philadelphia) December 31,
I HAD the honor of addreilmg Congrefs feme time
iince on the fubject of general Du Portail and the gentlemen
with him. He informs me that his affair has not yet been
decided, and is extremely anxious that it fhould be in fome
v/ay or other. He afligns many powerful reafons to (hew
that it is very interefling to him (if he is not to continue in
our fervice) to return to France as fpeedily as poffible. He
alfo informs me that he has reafon to think, in the confi-
deration of his affair, the retaining him in fervice and the
adopting the plan propofed in his memoir are united, and
the decifion of the one fufpended on that of the other ; and
has therefore requefted me to reprefent to Congrefs that he
fhouid be happy they could be confidered feparately ; and if
his fervices, abilracledly from the project propofed by him,
are deemed neceffary, it will be agreeable to him to remain
in the country.
1 have already taken the liberty to offer my fentiments on
the propriety of engaging thefe gentlemen to continue in
the fervice. It really appears to me that they will be effen-
tially neceffary to our future operations, whether defenfive
or oiTeniive ; and it cannot therefore but give me pleafure if
it (hall be confident with the views of Congrefs to retain
them, and to give every encouragement which they may
reafozKibly expect.
I have the-honor to be, occ. G. W.
END OF THE SECOND VOLUME,
£.203
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